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| A wide range meats are available at a New Forest Farmers Market event (Picture from TLC-Online) |
Local people have been visiting New Forest Producers Markets in droves, proving that locally-produced, seasonal food is a big hit with consumers.
The New Forest Producers Markets take place three times a month and only sell food and products sourced or grown in the New Forest.
Foods such as seasonal vegetables and fruit, meat, honey, jam, cakes, eggs and cheese are sold, along with craft items such as woodland products, hand-made soap and wool.
An average of 500 people have attended each market since they began in October 2004 and a Lyndhurst event last week (January 23) attracted over 800 people.
Markets currently take place in Beaulieu, Lymington and Lyndhurst but there plans to increase the frequency of events in the summer and to expand to other New Forest venues.
The markets are organised by the Forest Friendly Farming Project and are backed by European Community Leader+ funding, SEEDA and New Forest District Council
"I'm very pleased that the markets are proving so popular with local people," said
Cllr Jeremy Heron, NFDC's portfolio holder for Economy and Planning. Many
more people are becoming ethical consumers and they want to buy
food that has not travelled half way across the world to their
plate. They know
that by buying local food and produce, they are helping to support
local farmers, commoners and smallholders and also helping to
protect the living and working landscape of the New Forest."
Future markets take place as follows, on Sundays from 10am to 2pm:
Beufre Great Barn, Beaulieu (between Beaulieu Estate and Bucklers Hard) - February 13, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12.
Masonic Hall,
Lymington High Street - February 20, March 20, April 17, May 15,
June 19.
Community Centre, Lyndhurst - February 27, March 27, April 24, May 22, June 26.
Further information
can be obtained from Ann Sevier, Local Produce Development Officer
on 023 8028 5185, email ann.sevier@nfdc.gov.uk |
