Hampshire Farmers' Markets

Hampshire Farmers’ Markets Ltd took over the running of the farmers’ markets from 1st January 2002. The popularity of the Hampshire Farmers’ Markets meant that the demand for additional markets was ever increasing and during 2002 funding was secured from the England Rural Development Programme to fund the full time co-ordinator and also a part time assistant as the markets expanded to a programme of 68.

Hampshire Farmers’ Markets were the first group of markets to become certified to the National Association of Farmers’ Markets. The certification process involved independent inspection of the markets and the way they are managed, the relationship with Trading Standards and Environmental Health and interviewing stallholders for their views. If the standards set are achieved then certification is awarded and the logo boards displayed at all markets. By supporting certified markets you can be assured of the quality of the market and also that the stallholders attending are all local (within the definition of the market) and the rules will be clearly displayed.

2004 and the future

This year there has been a further extension of the programme to see a programme of 94 markets being held in 13 venues. More venues than ever are holding monthly markets and consumers are using them as a regular shopping experience.

History