Marchnadoedd y Ffermwyr yn Gŵyl Tyddyn a Gardd
The concept of fresh locally-produced food supplied direct from farm to table with almost zero ‘food miles’ involved in the marketing process has immense public appeal and has led to the rapid expansion of Farmers Markets since the first one opened – in Bath – in 1998. Producers have also benefited because Farmers Markets provide an immediate opportunity for them to add value to their product consequently improving incomes and the rural economy.
Most of those supplying the hundreds of Farmers Markets throughout the country including those in Wales can be described as small ‘artisan’ producers specialising in highly individual low volume products where quality is the prime marketing factor. Many of the producers are smallholders and they will be offering an exciting range of specialist foods of exceptional quality at next month’s Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival.
The Festival will feature some 70 small scale artisan producers and they will be selling a sumptuous range of food and drink to buy and consume on the showground, said Stephen Shearman of Farmers Markets Wales.
“The Food Hall is set out with market stalls creating the ambiance of a traditional market although on a much larger scale,” said Mr Shearman. “Farmers Markets are an ideal way for small scale producers to sell their products and there are also economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits with this type of market. They have become important contributors to local economies, have reduced food miles, supported the production of traditional foods such as farmhouse cheese and are social occasions offering a welcome chance for farmers and smallholders, who tend to lead isolated lives, to enjoy the company of their customers and fellow producers.”
The Farmers Markets catering concession at the Festival has been a popular feature over the last few years with visitors enjoying a wonderful range of food and drink from vegetarian burgers, organic beef burgers (produced just four miles from the showground), roast meats and exotic Eastern cuisine with traditional farmhouse ciders, micro brewed ales and an excellent selection of cakes and ice cream.
The two-day Smallholder and Garden Festival takes place on the Royal Welsh showground at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, over the weekend of May 15 and 16.
top printiwch