LOVE LOCAL
In the market for local produce...
Support your local food and drink producers by shopping at a farmers’ market near you
T
he main aim of farmers’ markets, to quote the National Farmers’ and Retail Markets Association FARMA, is “to support local
farmers and producers, who sell produce they have grown or made to their local community.” Here in the South West, we have plenty of regular farmers’ markets from which to choose, selling everything from cheese and carrots to bread and beer: markets which make it easier than ever for us to shop hyper-locally, reducing the environmental impact of our food and
38 | THE WEST COUNTRY FOODLOVER
supporting our region’s food and drink producers. Here in the UK, it was the 1990s
that saw the launch of the first ever farmers’ market – and it was actually right here in the South West. Bath Farmers’ Market, which takes place every Saturday at Green Park Station, began life back in 1997 as a result of the Bath & North East Somerset Council agreeing to encourage people to produce and consume local food to address local concerns over economic, environmental and social issues.
It started off as a monthly market, moving to twice a month in October of the following year and then weekly from May 2002. It really is about local food and drink: all of the produce is sold by the people who make it, and normally all comes from within a 40 mile radius of Bath. Market director and chairman Keith Goverd – who
also sells his English apple juice and cider at the market – says that the team are also keen to help smaller and newer producers: with many, the market will offer stalls rent-free for a short time to allow them to establish themselves. He’s quick to point out that the market itself makes no profit: it’s run for the traders and the customers, and it’s only the traders who take any money from the venture.
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