News from Scottish Farmers' Markets

SAFM Members - kings of the castle!

SAFM members were flying the flag recently for Scottish Farmers' Markets at a special reception hosted by the Scottish Government in Stirling Castle's Great Hall, an event attended by around 200 representatives from a range of local businesses linked to food and drink, tourism and hospitality. Samples of local foods were enjoyed by the guests who all clearly found the delicious farmers' market offerings hard to resist.

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, also officially launched a new VisitScotland guide to food linked events and festivals across the country, as part of Scotland's Year of Food and Drink which runs until the end of March 2011.

Cupar Farmers' Market in successful trial move

Cupar Farmers' Market, 3rd Saturday of the month; 9am-1pm (www.fifefarmersmarket.co.uk), has moved from Bonnygate Car Park to the Crossgate, and will continue in this location for the next two months at least (September & October). Reactions have already proved favourable, as the letter below (recently received by Fife Farmers' Market) testifies...

Dear Jimmy Wilson and Fife Farmers Market administration,

I have just returned home from the farmers market in Cupar and feel compelled to send you a letter of very enthusiastic support. Having shifted the location of the market to Crossgate has made a pronounced and extremely positive difference. The atmosphere, sense of community, overall turnout and enjoyment were much much better than when the market was hidden away in the town car park. Such a positive change will certainly bring more people in to Cupar and encourage business for the stores which face on to Crossgate as well as those on Bonnygate. The increased visibility will without a doubt raise awareness about the market and encourage greater awareness of Cupar as a market town. As well, placing the market on Crossgate will increase sales of the market vendors as they will benefit from the foot traffic walking by the shops.

I've now lived in Cupar for two years and this is the first time that I've really felt a sense of pride about the farmers market and derived such enjoyment from it. In its new location, it feels transformed, integrated in to the community, and feels like a proper European market. I will look forward to each month's market and gladly encourage other members of the community and friends from neighbouring towns to make the trip to participate.

I understand this is a trial which will run for three months, but I very much hope that this sensible initiative is carried forward and made permanent, as it will certainly impact the town positively in many ways some very immediate and obvious, and some more subtle and long-term.

This is without a doubt a step in the right direction for the future of Cupar, the effectiveness of the farmers market, and the reputation of the community as a historic market town.

Keep up the good work.

Haddington Farmers’ Market

We are so fortunate, here in East Lothian to have an excellent variety of produce as a result of our rich landscape. We are also fortunate to be able to illustrate the traditional production methods, which provides the good old fashioned quality taste of which our stallholders at Haddington Farmers’ Market are justly proud of.
The delicious, authentic and high quality produce at Haddington Farmers’ Market, held on the last Saturday of every month (9am-1pm), will this month, Saturday 28 August, 2010 welcome the arrival of another unique, local farmer who specializes in Fungi Forays and wild mushrooms.
Neville Kilkenny, who trained as a mycologist at The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, aims to change the publics’ perception of The Toadstools and raise awareness of the role fungi play in our environment. The scope of his work ranges from field survey and assessment of the mycological importance of sites in order to make land management recommendations, monitoring Sites of Special Scientific Interest with fungi as a notified feature, consultancy for mushroom growers, and advising on sustainable wild harvesting.

Shepherd’s Cottage - Fungi Forays & wild mushrooms
Our lives are inextricably connected to fungi which have a significant affect on our diet, health, culture, and more importantly the environment around us. Fungi underpin every ecosystem on the planet and without these organisms the world we live in would be very different from the one we know now.

Neville’s main interest is in conserving the diversity of our fungi and understanding their ecological requirements. Habitat loss and pollution are the greatest threat to fungi, rather than over collection. What brings the most pleasure to Neville in his work, is taking people out into woodlands to share his knowledge of the fungi, and see how much they marvel at the diversity that we enjoy in Scotland. As well as his research and consultancy work, Neville is available for giving talks, leading forays, and holding identification surgeries, for conservation organizations, community woodlands, and also private customers. How about a personal foray as a unique birthday present? Neville will be leading several forays this year in East Lothian, come and find out which species are considered the best edibles, and the perils of collecting those that aren’t! Tickets are on sale at the Haddington Farmer’s Market at the end of this month, as well as a selection of wild fungi that one might expect to find on a foray - for further information go to www.fungi.co.uk or call 01620 810 417.

In addition to the range of stalls, Haddington Farmers’ Market will be hosting a cooking demonstration, using produce from the ‘friendly’ market; plus there will be free recipes, tips and hints. Haddington Pipe Band will also serve up a selection of traditional music so with everything Haddington Farmers’ Market has to offer – don’t forget to pay us a visit – you will not be disappointed.

---ENDS---

For further information contact: Pauline Jaffray, PJ Design, Dunbar – 01368 863593

PERTH FARMERS’ MARKET AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations to 6 producers who regularly attend Perth Farmers’ Market.

Cairn O’Mohr Winery, Cookroom, Findlater’s Fine Foods, Fletchers of Auchtermuchy, St Andrews Cheese and Summer Harvest have all recently won national food awards.

Adeline Watson, Market Co-ordinator said “As a market we are proud to have so many stallholders being recognised for their great produce. It is a reflection of the overall standards that the market aspires to and it can only enhance our customers’ shopping experience.”

Mark Bush from Summer Harvest and Vice Chairman of Perth Farmers’ Market commented: “We have so many premium producers here in Scotland and particularly in central Scotland and it is great to be recognised for this by gaining these awards. It all helps to show Perth Farmers’ Market is one of the best in Scotland."

The award-winning produce will be part of a special display at the September market in celebration of the Scottish Food Fortnight.

For more details, see www.perthfarmersmarket.co.uk.

FARMERS’ MARKET FRIDAYS!

Perth Farmers’ Market has embarked on a new venture to spread the word about seasonal local produce.

Farmers’ Market Fridays take place on the Friday before the market with a stall in the High Street in Perth and at other venues throughout Perthshire with displays of produce, samples and market literature. Sarah Mellersh from Let’s Cook Cooking School in Abernethy will be providing cooking demonstrations. Each month there will be a competition giving shoppers the opportunity to win a goodie bag of market produce, the proceeds of which are being donated to CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland).

Adeline Watson, Market Co-ordinator commented: “The aim is to target shoppers who don’t come into town on a Saturday and therefore miss the market, as well as to remind our regular customers that the market is on the following day. There are still hundreds of local people who are unaware that the market takes place each month in the centre of town even although we are now in our 12th year! Some shoppers don’t realise the variety of produce which is on offer and we’d like to change that”.

This venture is part of a three month trial during August, September and October and is sponsored by Scotland & Food and Drink.

Ongoing sponsorship is being sought and any business interested in this as a promotional venture should contact Adeline Watson on 01738 582159

Falkirk Farmers' Markets relaunches
on Friday July 2

Falkirk Farmers' Market relaunches this Friday, July 2nd, and will now be held on the First Friday of the month. Expect all your usual favourte producers in this vibrant town centre. For more details, see www.falkirkbid.com.