As consumers become increasingly discerning about what they eat, worrying about “food miles”, excessive packaging and the health benefits of organic and locally grown produce, farmers’ markets - once a novelty - have become a destination of choice.
There are now more than 500 certified markets across the country and the best of them, according to a survey by Country Life magazine, is in Edinburgh.
Ever since the first farmers’ market opened in Bath in 1997, the demand from an increasing environmentally aware public has seen the concept take off across the country. Today, more than £166m a year is being spent on fresh, locally prepared produce at markets up and down the UK. Originally set up to provide an outlet for farmers, growers or producers from local areas to sell their own produce direct to consumers the markets have now become fashionable places to shop.
Typically, a market runs for about five hours at the weekend, weekly or monthly depending on the demand. But, as their popularity grows, more are being created on an almost daily basis.
“Local food is attracting more interest than it has for a generation and is an issue increasingly at the centre of everyone’s thinking,” said Mark Hedges, editor of Country Life magazine, which launched a competition to find Britain’s favourite farmers’ market.
The magazine, which has previously run competitions to find England’s favourite village and England’s favourite market town, drew up a shortlist of 18 outstanding markets across England, Scotland and Wales.
The 18 semi-finalists comprised three farmers’ markets from each of six regions: East of England, the Midlands, Scotland and the North,