What makes a good farmers' market? Twenty-five years ago they were virtually unheard of in the UK, although they were very popular in the States. The idea behind them was for the farmer to sell directly to the public. That is still what they are meant to be although, says James Pavitt, the co-ordinator of the National Association of Farmers' Markets, 'there is some confusion about what constitutes a farmers' market; it has to be people who grow and sell their own food who live in the locality, not just producers who come from far and wide as a middle man. The motto is NO MIDDLEMEN!' What OFM is looking for on top of all that is the venue and the range of produce on offer:
1 Winchester, Hampshire
Middle Brook Street, last Sunday of the month Tel: 01962 845135
The biggest market in the country, it has been running since May 1999 and has between 80 and 90 stalls. The produce must be grown, reared, baked or caught in Hampshire or within 10 miles of the border. In September there is the Hampshire Hog Day, the hog being the symbol of Hampshire County Council. Specialities: Water buffalo, Dexter beef, Manx Loughton sheep and walking sticks made from local wood.
2 Edinburgh
Castle Terrace, held first and third Saturday of each month. Tel: 0131 652 5940
This is a stunning market situated underneath the castle. It includes a lovely range of produce - a lot of wild boar, venison, ostrich, a very particular sausage-meat mix, superb hedgerow wines, gorgeous mead and, of course, whisky.
3 Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Rother Street Market, first and third Sat of month Tel: 01789 267000
A good, well-run market which is great on seasonality. This is reflected in the produce that is available all year. Includes bakers and brewers, a pig roast with meat from Gloucester Old Spot pigs and wild boars. Also Fowler's cheese, probably the oldest cheese-making family in the country.
4 Stroud, Gloucester
Cornhill Market Place, held on first and third Saturday of each month. Tel: 01453 758060
This is as much a community initiative as anything else. It is in a lovely central venue with 11am demonstrations by resident market chef Robert Rees of the Country Elephant who makes meals using produce from the market. Their specialities are Katie Lloyd's Shitake-mushroom growing kits, Annette Eaton's smoked garlic and the superb outdoor cafe. A real social gathering event.
5 Hexham, Northumberland
Hexham Auction Mart (Jan-April), The Market Place (May-August), held the second Saturday of the month Tel: 01434 270393
This market was one of the first places to experience the result of foot and mouth. The market was crippled and yet it managed to carry on and only had to be cancelled twice. It is located on the site of a cattle market and last year won the NFU award for Best Farmers' Market in England and Wales. It is very popular with the local community. Specialities are locally-grown oyster mushrooms and Northumberland Hill lamb.
6 Haverford West, Pembrokeshire
Riverside Quay, held on alternate Fridays Tel: 01437 776 168
This is a market on a peninsula and has a stunning range of cheeses and real heather honey. Sometimes there is a live cookery demonstration. From 29 June to 7 July there is the Pembrokeshire Fish Week which features cooking demonstrations at the market; usually locally caught and reared fish.
7 Oldham, Greater Manchester
Saddleworth Museum, High Street, held second Sunday of the month. Tel: 0161 6155023
This market is held in the outskirts of Manchester. There are 17 stallholders but the market is looking to expand. It is held indoors and the specialities are fresh trout from a local farm, Saddleworth lamb, organic Cheshire cheese and grass-fed Highland beef.
8 Notting Hill, London
Newcombe House car park, Kensington Place, Saturday weekly Tel: 0207 704 9659
This has a good selection of products and even though it is in an odd venue it is very popular because of the atmosphere. Live chefs, fish brought up fresh from Brighton, diver-caught scallops from Dorset, dairy produce, blueberry preserve from the Dorset Blueberry Company...they have everything. This is London, after all.
9 Wye, Kent
The Green, held on first and third Saturday of each month. Tel: 01233 813303
This was started as a small initiative by Richard Boden, a keen environmental campaigner who is now looking at starting up a farming co-operative supermarket. The action happens in the centre of this picturesque village - venue of the missing beagles. Hot food and drinks are available and there is often live entertainment.
10 Knightwick, Worcestershire
Teme Valley Market, held at the Talbot on the second Sunday of the month. Tel:01886 821235Ê
One day a farmer entered a pub and was told that he couldn't come in because his boots were too muddy. A few years later the same farmer bought the pub, hung up his muddy boots and decided to start a tiny farmers' market in the back room. The market sells particularly good goats cheese, cider and vegetables and sells three unusual types of beer called, This, That and The Other.
The UK's first healthy-eating promotion scheme opens at a new farmers' market on 26 April at Three Mills Island, East London. Local residents can register for a voucher to receive a discount on home-grown food sold by regional farmers. Tel: Bromley-by-Bow Healthy Living Centre 0208709 9722 or London Farmers' Markets 0207704 9659
For more information visit the National Association of Farmers' Markets website at www.farmersmarkets.net
