A few months back I discovered a hidden gem just a few minutes from the high street in town whilst out shopping. Whilst everyone knows about farmer’s markets the country markets seem to be a well kept secret.
There are over 12,000 local producers who sell their goods at 400 markets throughout the U.K. The Country Markets are a co-operative with their roots going back as far as 1919 when the Agriculture organisation Society (now Defra) sponsored the setting up of co-operative markets to sell surplus produce.
At my local market I can purchase fresh flowers, herbs and vegetables, home baked pies, cakes and quiches, honey, jams and free range eggs to name but a few. There are also a selection of home made craft items which make for lovely gifts too.
A couple of weeks ago my friend and I went halves on a gigantic pumpkin costing the princely sum of £5 which even included delivery. It was so big we couldn’t have possibly carried it home on our bikes. Two weeks later after it was carved for a haloween party we are still enjoying pumpkin soup and pumpkin risotto.
Visiting the country markets has now become a weekly ritual for me and some of my friends as we can catch up, do our weekly shop and have a cup of tea (costing only 20p) and a fairy cake all in one sitting. It’s great to be able to buy local food in a friendly setting and I urge anyone with an interest in locally produced and home made food to seek out their nearest country market.
To find your nearest market visit the country markets website so you can really shop local.
December 1st, 2008 at 11:45 am
I love going to such markets. There’s one that’s held every Sunday twenty minutes away from our house and the vegetables are better than the ones sold in supermarkets.
February 16th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
I attend a number of markets in the Essex region and have seen many develop and flourish whilst some just fade away and die? The secret of their success is to keep customers interested with something for all the family. I attend Gt Garnetts market and the combination of a working farm and great ingredients be they food or craft based has proved to be its key attraction. The majority of people come for the award winning pork and turkey but the craft stalls also provide additional interest. Markets have to provide a diverse range of products to continually draw people away from the supermarkets. Not only do Farmers Markets provide food and crafts but they also provide a positive social impact.
Keep supporting your local market!