As consumers become increasingly conscious about the environment and locally sourced food products, farmers’ markets are surely an important outlet for regional produce. Also, with the oncoming festive season, Christmas markets and generally shopping activities are on the increase and so this is an excellent time to showcase wares by local companies and farmers.

Let’s look at a couple of examples.
In North Lincolnshire – the county of Lincolnshire sausages, pork pies and the local plum bread – there has been success at a farmers’ market recently. In order to attract customers, the Pink Pig Farm (now a decade old), celebrated by selling its sausages at 2001 prices at the Brigg Farmers’ Market. There was much local support for the event. Other stalls included those of Tom Wood with his best ale, brewed locally and also Fiona Sciolti. She has recently won awards with her botanical chocolates (created out of local and natural ingredients) and these were also on sale – no doubt a great idea for Christmas presents.

Huntingdon is also going to run two special Christmas markets this month (December 9th and 23rd). As well as traditional entertainment, including a children’s carol singing event and less traditional but helpful events such as the police’s free postcoding of bikes, excellent quality home produce will be available. The market will also offer a limited number of Farmers’ Market cookbooks to those who spend over £10.
There will be all manner of meat products, including poultry and sausages, as well as vegetables and cakes, jams and chutneys.

Posted by Hayley on the 8th December 2011