News archive
| Open Season for British Asparagus |
St Georges’ Day marks the official
opening of the asparagus season, and the oncoming glut of British produce.
Following last year’s late harvest, this year’s crop is
ready to go, and fresh spears can be found now at farm shops, farmers’ markets
and even on pick-your-own farms across the country.
The excitement that asparagus elicits from chefs and foodies is due
partly to its subtle, grassy flavour; refreshing after months of roots
and cabbages, and also to its relatively short season. Traditionally
British asparagus is available for about six weeks at its best and
most affordable. Prices vary - farm shops are currently charging £6
- £9.99 per kilo (or about £2.50 - £3 a bunch). If
the warm weather continues, a bumper crop means prices tend to drop
as the season progresses, with many places offering promotions. For
the best deals, the freshest spears, and minimal packaging, try pick-your-own
farms, currently charging approximately £6 per kilo – much
cheaper than the supermarkets.
Buy fresh. There is no snobbery in the fact that freshly picked asparagus
actually tastes better as the sugars have less time to convert to starch,
resulting in sweeter and more digestible spears. At certified farmers’ markets,
you can buy straight from the producer, and many farm shops sell their
own or locally sourced ‘buds o’gras’. For a nation
with a growing appetite for growing its own vegetables, asparagus is
one of the most labour intensive – it takes three years waiting
before you get a first harvest – so buying from local farmers
gives you value for money and time with the quality of homegrown.
How you eat asparagus depends on the size and age of the spears; slender,
early ‘sprue’ asparagus is good steamed or grilled lightly
for no longer that two minutes before drizzling with beurre blanc,
hollandaise or lemon and parmesan. Once the glut begins, try soups,
add lightly cooked to salads and stir-fries or combine with other spring
vegetables cooked in a little white wine and butter as an accompaniment
to lamb or pork.
The vale of Evesham in Worcestershire is the traditional home of asparagus
and its annual festival which runs for 23 April – 21 June, but
the vegetable can be found across England, Wales, and up into Scotland
(customers further north will have to wait until early May to buy local).
To find farm shops, farmers’ markets or pick-your-owns in your
area, visit www.farma.org.uk. For online deliveries, try www.abbeyparksasparagus.co.uk
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| Farmers' Market of the Year 2007 |
| The National Farmers’ Retail & Markets Association (FARMA)
has announced the winners of its Farm Retailer of the Year, Farmers’ Market
of the Year and Best Farm Retail Newcomer. The Awards, and certificates for the
regional finalists, were presented at the FARMA national conference in Torquay
on 14 November. |
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The 2007 FARMA CERTIFIED FARMERS’ MARKET OF THE YEAR award, sponsored by Zapp
Canopy Umbrellas and Chillerz,
went to Edinburgh
Farmers’ Market, recognising its transition to a weekly presence
while retaining and growing its range...
[click here to read more] |
Cheese & Wine Masterclass
For a limited time only!
Darts Farm Village, Devon
Wednesday 16th April
7.30–10PM
Click here for
more information |
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| Foot & mouth update |
Since 3 August 2007 there have been several confirmed cases of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), all in Surrey. A 3 kilometre Protection Zone has been put in place around the affected farms, with a 10 kilometre Surveillance Zone (SZ) beyond that. Affected animals have been culled. Laboratory results have confirmed that the virus strain is the same in each case. FMD is not contagious or dangerous to humans. Many farmers' markets during August and September took precautions and some in Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire closed to help prevent spread of the disease.
DEFRA have relaxed restrictions on the movement of livestock in most of the UK, however the South East is still subject to strict controls. These measures are to prevent the spread of the highly infectious disease (to livestock), not due to risk to human health. Restrictions on movement of livestock may result in short-term shortages of meat from some producers at farmers' markets and farm shops. Please continue to be understanding.
On 21 October a new FMD Restricted Zone (RZ) was established to include the existing SZ plus 20-30km. Strict movement restrictions continue to apply in both the new RZ and the existing SZ. The risk of disease outside the FMD RZ is very low but cannot be completely excluded. The SZ is not expected to be lifted before 5 November.
Please continue to support local food and your local farmers' market! Click on our map to find your nearest farmers' market.
- 25/10/07
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Oct 06
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WHO WILL BE CROWNED UKTV FOOD’S LOCAL FOOD HERO 2006?
In July, FARMA partnered with UKTV Food in the quest to find the UK’s favourite Local Food Hero. UKTV Food : Local Hero 2006 is a major new food award that seeks out and honours those people who go the extra mile to create great local food and offer valuable service to their community.
If you were nominated for the award, you should have received a window sticker and you’ll find your business listed permanently in the Local Food Hero directory on www.uktvfood.co.uk. There were over 4,000 businesses nominated and 40,000 public votes so the competition was extremely tough! UKTV Food has finally whittled down a shortlist of local food heroes from ten UK regions so now’s the time to find out who’s in the running to win the £40,000 prize and the coveted Local Food Hero 2006 title.
Witness the crowning glory of UKTV Food’s Local Hero by watching the series fronted by Gary Rhodes, weeknights at 8pm on UKTV Food.
If you didn’t make it through this year or you missed out on being nominated yourself, there will be plenty of opportunity to get involved next year. Please visit www.uktvfood.co.uk for more information.
THIS WEEK
27 November: Finalists from Wales
28 November: Finalists from the Midlands
29 November: Finalists from the South East
30 November: Finalists from Northern Ireland
1 December: Decides the overall winner – UKTV Food’s Local Food Hero 2006
Details of all finalists and more information from www.uktvfood.co.uk
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Oct 06
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Farmers' Markets are mentioned at length in an article entitled "Testing The Market" in the Times Online (click here for the article) and the Sunday Times on 01 October. This article is of particular relavence to farmers' market stallholders and prospective stallholders.
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Oct 06
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Stroud Farmers' Market in Gloucestershire is to be held weekly as of this month. The Guardian on Satuday 30 September printed an article about the change - click here.
Research from FARMA was useful in negotiating and informing this change. For more information visit www.retailhealthcheck.com |
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Sept 06
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The Month Of Taste is a national campaign run by FARMA to encourage people to try and experience great local and seasonal foods available... all year round! But particularly between September and October, when a huge variety of great British local foods are being harvested and prepared. In this, the second year of the campaign, Celebrate the Month of Taste between 16 September and 22 October 2006!
Click here for more information
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July 06
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Launched this year, Local Hero 2006 is a major new food award from UKTV Food, supported by Enjoy England, FARMA and Lea & Perrins. The Awards seek out and honour those people who go the extra mile to create great local food and offer a valuable service to their community.
A people’s award, this is a tribute to everyone who helps put great British produce onto plates, into shops and markets and on pub and restaurant tables. It’s an appreciation by the people who shop and eat local food at regional outlets, including farm shops, farmers’ markets’ stallholders, pick-your-own fruit and vegetable farms, and home delivery schemes. If you are a primary producer; add value to locally sourced products; sell directly to customers; supply local shops; or provide food to schools - this is your chance to be recognised for excellence and commitment to quality.
THE SEARCH
The nationwide search for Local Heroes will launch on 3 July across ten UK regions - Scotland, North East, North West, Midlands, Wales, South East, South West, East Anglia, London and Northern Ireland. Each region will have a ‘food detective’ championing heroes in their area. Viewers and members of the public will be asked to nominate and vote for their Local Food Hero and each nominee will receive a nomination pack containing window stickers and posters to encourage support from their customers. Voting will take place from Monday 3 July until Monday 21 August on www.uktvfood.co.uk. The winner of the Local Hero 2006 title will be decided in an original 11-part series aired in November on UKTV Food which will feature eight finalists going head to head to impress a panel of judges, headed by Gary Rhodes.
‘KEEP IT LOCAL’ SEASON
A special season of programming will be created around the Keeping It Local theme. Watch UKTV Food for a feast of viewing, which includes the Heaven’s Kitchen series, fronted by Mike Robinson, James Martin Digs Deep, and the Local Food Heroes 2006 series. There is also plenty more action with the famed Jimmy’s Farm series too. The season will start at the beginning of October and ends with the Local Food Heroes 2006 series. In addition, short clips of nominees will be available on www.uktvfood.co.uk, and a selection broadcast on Great Food Live, UKTV’s daily flagship show. Across the channel, clips of nominees will be incorporated into 30 second promotional trails, from 3 July until 21 August, shown on all UKTV’s lifestyle channels.
THE PRIZE - YOUR WISH IS GRANTED!
As well as the title, the winner receives a prize which promises to plough money back into local businesses and the community. Each shortlisted nominee names one thing that will make a massive difference to their business - perhaps a farm shop refurbishment, marketing campaign, new kitchens or operational facilities. For the ultimate winner of the series, their dream wish is granted.
Local Food Heroes will be ...
passionate for their craft and career, take pride in being part of a local community, value their customers and make a difference to people’s daily lives. They will be judged on how well they provide top quality, local and regionally sourced food while having respect for the land. Sound business practice will also be a factor.
You can be nominated by customers - or you can nominate yourself!
Key dates
Launch 3 July 2006 on Great Food Live (weekdays 12.30pm with three repeats during the day) for one week, followed by a further week’s publicity from 14-18 August as the nominations phase draws to a close. Nominations and voting finish on 21 August.
Action
Visit the UKTV Food website today: www.uktvfood.co.uk for more information and to find out how to get yourself nominated!
ABOUT UKTV FOOD
UKTV is a network with ten channels, offering a range of quality programming covering comedy, drama, lifestyle, documentary and history. UKTV Food is dedicated to passionate food fans and attracts an impressive four million viewers every month. The food website, www.uktvfood.co.uk has 100,000 registered users and it’s increasing every week.
UKTV Food is available on Sky channel 145, Telewest channel 260, Top-Up TV channel 29 and NTL channel 808.
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June 06
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Farmers' Markets have been running for 9 years now following the setting up of Britain's first true Farmers' Market in Bath. Since that time, the sector has exploded with over 500 Farmers' Markets around the country, and nearly 200 Certified by FARMA to uphold the ethical retailing principles which lie behind the concept.
This June 26th, Farmers' Markets organisers, local authorities, and anyone with a working interest in Farmers' Markets, are invited to come to the third annual FARMA Farmers' Market Conference in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, to take a look at where the sector has come from, and what lessons have been learned, and what we can look forward to as the sector moves into another successful and dynamic tenth year.
Click here for more details (brochure PDF - 255kb)
Click here for high-quality (printable) version (3.3Mb) |
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June 06 |
The farmersmarkets.net website is relaunched, all new, all better, and just all good!
Any questions about the new site can be directed to
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For new news stories see our News page
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