Hampshire Farmers' Markets

28^th May 2010

Now we’re enjoying some sunshine, a great way to spend the Bank Holiday weekend is to visit your local Hampshire Farmers’ Market.

This weekend we have our largest market at Winchester and a special bank holiday Monday weekend at Odiham.

HFM Business Development Manager, Alex Handford says, “We’re expecting a big turnout this weekend and on Monday with a large influx of tourists to the area for the bank holiday. One way to get the true flavour of Hampshire when you’re visiting is to come to the Farmers’ Market and sample the best of produce. If you want the pick of the market, make sure you get there early!”

Hampshire Farmers Markets is a non profit organisation that ensures everything sold at the market originated from Hampshire or ten miles of its borders. That way they help support the local economy and offer food with the fewest food miles.

Winchester’s market starts at 9am until 2pm on Sunday and the market at Odiham is from 10am-2pm.

Editors Note:

1. For more information, email Tania Tirraoro at marketing@hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk or call Alex Handford on 01420 588671.
2. HFM is accredited by FARMA, the Farmers’ Markets Certification body.

Hampshire Farmers’ Markets Producer Pollen True Taste and Guest Producer Nut Knowle Farm have gained approval certification from The Safe and Local Supplier Association.

SALSA is the Food Safety Certification Scheme for small to medium sized producers. With the growing popularity of local and regionally sourced products among industry and consumers, the scheme provides national and regional buyers with the confidence that SALSA approved businesses not only make fantastic products, but do so in a safe and legal manner.

SALSA is supported by the Food Standards Agency, DEFRA and by the majority of the UK’s leading retailers and food service providers.

Hampshire’s finest food producers were celebrating last night after being named as winners of the first ever Hampshire Farmers’ Markets Awards 2009

Hosted at the Lainston House Hotel in Sparsholt near Winchester, the awards ceremony was in recognition of the best Hampshire’s Farmers’ Markets has to offer as voted for by the public.

• Best Product was won by Blackmoor Game, producers of venison, pheasant, duck and all types of game.
  • Nominees: Beechcroft Lamb & Beef; Mapleleaf Watercress; Blackmoor Game

• Best Food To Go at the Farmers’ Markets was Bowtell’s Farm Shop.
  • Nominees: Greenfield Pork – Hog Roast; Pott’s Pantry; Bowtell’s Farm Shop

• Best Dressed Stall was won by Pott’s Pantry.
  • Nominees: Cresson Creative; Pott’s Pantry; The Tomato Stall

• The Best Personality category was won by two people, Pete Sole of Blackmoor Game and Sean Brown of Mapleleaf Watercress.
  • Nominees: Sean Brown, Mapleleaf Watercress; Toby Bowtell, Bowtell’s Farm Shop; Peter Sole, Blackmoor Game; Jennifer Laing, Cresson Creative.

Hampshire Farmers Markets are held at locations across the county every weekend and offer a large range of local produce that has been reared, grown, baked, produced or pickled entirely in the county or within ten miles of its borders.

Voting for the awards began at the end of October, both at the markets and from a downloadable form from the Hampshire Farmers’ Markets website.

Hampshire Farmers’ Markets Business Manager, Alex Handford said, “Winning an HFM Award is a great accolade for our hard-working stall-holders. They are out in all weathers bringing people in Hampshire great local food and products. Well done to all our winners.”

The awards were presented by Ian Axton, owner of Andover Sound FM and a former presenter for Meridian Television.