Topic ID 772
I am all in support of buying produce straight from the farmers and cutting out the supermarkets, as a result I go to all the local farmers markets to pick up fresh produce. Only is it just me or are our local farmers markets more like craft fairs, I went to the one in Ware today hoping to pick up some fruit and veg and maybe some nice cheeses, all I found was embroidered cushions, fairies, plants and an assortment of over priced alcoholic drinks. I very much doubt that any of the stall holders were actually farmers[?]
Reply ID 8336
Have you ever been to the organic farm shop over in VH. They are a little pricey but the fruit and veg are great. It is mainly grown on their farm in Ongar, which is on the M11 side of Harlow. http://www.ashlyns.co.uk
Reply ID 8348
They are also very knowledgable and and helpful if you have specific needs.
Reply ID 8363
quote:absolutely 100% agree. The farmers markets round here are absolute garbage.
Originally posted by Nicky
I am all in support of buying produce straight from the farmers and cutting out the supermarkets, as a result I go to all the local farmers markets to pick up fresh produce. Only is it just me or are our local farmers markets more like craft fairs, I went to the one in Ware today hoping to pick up some fruit and veg and maybe some nice cheeses, all I found was embroidered cushions, fairies, plants and an assortment of over priced alcoholic drinks. I very much doubt that any of the stall holders were actually farmers[?]
Reply ID 8384
I like the farm shop down the A10, where you can get pick your own fruit, a great variety of bread, local meats and Braughing sausages, as well as interesting chutneys etc. I really like it, it is better than any farmer's market I have been to locally.
Reply ID 8385
where abouts down the A10 Wizkid?
Reply ID 8386
Mr Sloop, are you able to comment on the local farmers market? I thought there was some accreditation.
Reply ID 8390
I think some background knowledge might help here. The Hertford Town Centre Management Board was offered the opportunity to stage a Farmers Market last October with two weeks notice. Ware had already tried unsuccessfully to co-ordinate local producers. We inherited a group of producers who had previously and still do, sell produce at Dane End and Hertford Heath. The co-ordination was taken over by us from the previous organiser. Some markets with which we are compared have been running for years - the next one will be only the fourth in Hertford. Justin, I think you are a trifle unfair - to say that these markets are garbage is to say that all cups of tea in Hertford taste of dishwater. All the producers are local and adhere to all the quality controls necessary. Many of them are well known to people on these boards who buy from their farm shops. Unfortunately some of them do not sell at Ware - Hertford has only room for 23 stalls and see above we inherited some craft stalls. There is limited space in Herford on Saturdays owing to the Charter market so there is still a lot of work to be done between the various agencies involved to be able to expand. There are a lot of quality producers eager to work Hertford. My own personal opinion is that I would like to see all 23 stalls filled with local produce and crafts people moved elsewhere - possibly Bircherley Green. The next market is on Saturday July 23 at which Cllr Tony Jackson (Dep leader East herts Council) will be presenting the FARMA Accreditation Certificate to Ware and Hertford markets - both mayors in attendance! There is a wide range of local produce, gluten free produce, bread, flour, boar, beef, lamb, eggs, cheeses. The rules governing who you can invite in are quite strict; such as you can only invite in a honey producer from say Suffolk if you cannot source one from within a ten mile radius - not too sure of actual distances but you get the drift. Other towns do puff up the market with crafts and gourmet stalls. I will try and extend Farmers Markets both in number of stalls and number of visits if I can find a way round the same legislation that has managed to get in the way of Fun Day.
Reply ID 8391
quote:Pearce's farm shop is on the A10 southbound carriageway, just north of Puckerage - about 10 minutes in the car from here. It's a pretty good shop. I stuffed myself on raspberries and strawberries from there at the weekend [:p]
Originally posted by Bengeobabe
where abouts down the A10 Wizkid?
Reply ID 8393
Thanks Joby, I was thinking hard about how to give good directions, my directions get many a good person lost[V]
Reply ID 8394
I would like to see less "French" Markets, which I think is where the criticism starts with the "tat and toilettries" stalls and more, as people want it, local farmers/producers. Its hard for them I am sure, for years successive governments and EU have made farming in UK a non-activity, but I personally would prefer to shop for meat/vegetables/cheeses etc if they were locally produced. Nice as my tesco is, they tend not to always source UK products over other EU countries. If you go to Belgium this is the normal sort of market you have the "butcher, baker and candlestick maker" all selling their products they make in their towns/villages to the locals.. It works it really does. Lets hope we get a regular market, I for one would appreciate it.
Reply ID 8496
I totally agree with you Drama Queen. If local produce was sold at the big supermarkets for a fair price, it would really help local farmers. I for one, would be prepared to pay more. That is why I like that shop on the A10, unfortunately, it is a bit of a drive to it. When we produce the lovely Braughing sausages locally, why on earth are they not sold in our local supermarket? I think is it shortsighted of supermarkets to fail to do this, because I am sure the first one that does will gain extra trade, because I believe a lot of people think this way.
Reply ID 8498
Regarding British produce in the supermarket - totally agree with both Drama Queen and wizkid, and I always try to buy British when I shop at Tesco. However - and I may be wrong on this - aren't we compelled to buy a certain amount of stuff from other EU countries? I know when the French were refusing to buy British beef they were in breach of some EU regulation that said they had to. Seems crazy to me. However, the solution to this is in our hands - there's always a farmer's marker somewhere nearby on a Saturday (Hertford, Ware, Hertford Heath, Dane End etc.) and then the farm shops - buying British is easy for everyone. I wonder if the reason we don't see Braughing sausages and the like in our local supermarkets is due to the fact that it's not profitable for the suppliers to do this - you hear the stories about how many pennies the supermarkets squeeze out of every pound. It may just be that it's not worth bothering with on a local (i.e. small) scale.
Reply ID 8652
anyone know where there's one this saturday?
Reply ID 8887
quote:Just to bring everyone's attention to it - THIS SATURDAY!!! Get there early - it was all over by 2pm last time.
Originally posted by sloopjohnb
The next market is on Saturday July 23 at which Cllr Tony Jackson (Dep leader East herts Council) will be presenting the FARMA Accreditation Certificate to Ware and Hertford markets - both mayors in attendance! There is a wide range of local produce, gluten free produce, bread, flour, boar, beef, lamb, eggs, cheeses. The rules governing who you can invite in are quite strict; such as you can only invite in a honey producer from say Suffolk if you cannot source one from within a ten mile radius - not too sure of actual distances but you get the drift.
Reply ID 8888
Blimey Nora, you are doing Admin's job for him/her. Be there early or you might miss out .. Try the Ostrich .
Reply ID 8891
How do you know I'm not just another pseudonym for Admin?! Actually, I just passionately believe in supporting British farming. The "be there early" note is for the person who posted as having missed it last time.
Reply ID 8892
Actually do know. And keep up the good work Nora...