Gainsborough Farmers’ Market Gets a Double Taste of Success!

Gainsborough Farmers’ Market Gets a Double Taste of Success!

6 September 2010

Stallholders and organisers of The Farmers’ Market in Gainsborough are announcing a double celebration this week!

The popular market, based at Marshall’s Yard, has been awarded FARMA certification in recognition of its high standards.

The news comes as organisers are also announcing plans to hold the event twice a month.

At the moment the Gainsborough Farmers’ Market takes place on the second Saturday of the month - attracting shoppers from across the region with a fantastic array of tasty local produce.

Now the market will take place at Marshall’s Yard on the second and fourth Saturday of the month to cater for the growing demand from stallholders and customers.

The Farmers Market was re-launched earlier this year with fantastic new stalls in a new location along the central walkway at Marshall’s Yard.

Since then it’s become a must in the Lincolnshire food lover’s calendar with regular producers including Redhill Farm, Oslinc, Gringley Gringo and Goachers.

Assistant Centre Manager at Marshall’s Yard, Medi Parry said: “The feedback we have had about the market is just fantastic and our own research shows we are attracting shoppers from a much wider area on Farmers’ Market day.

“We always have a waiting list of stallholders keen to participate so we felt offering an extra date every month was the obvious next step for the market. Getting FARMA accreditation is just the icing on the cake and everyone involved with the market is delighted.

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“The Certification procedure is also an invaluable checklist for market managers, it help us to meet the criteria required for producer selection and good management of a true farmers' market."

Gainsborough joins Brigg Farmers’ Market to become the second in Lincolnshire to receive FARMA accreditation. 

FARMA Standards Manager Sue Thomson said:  “We encourage customers to look for the FARMA logo as a sign of a well managed market that works within the criteria.

“Many people think that farmers' markets are more expensive than supermarkets – like for like price comparisons have shown that this frequently isn't the case, farmers' markets offer fresh, quality produce at competitive prices. 

“It is about the food’s traceability - the producer or someone directly involved in the business should be at the stall and we encourage customers to ask about the products and production methods.”

The Gainsborough Farmers’ Market takes place on the second and fourth Saturday of the Month at Marshall’s Yard from 9am to 3pm and the next one will be on Saturday  September 11^th.  For information contact: Medi Parry on 01427 810706 or visit the Marshall’s Yard website at www.marshallsyard.co.uk and click on the Farmers’ Market link.

Picture shows Medi Parry at Marshall's Yard with the FARMA certificate.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The Farmers’ Market first started at Marshall’s Yard in August 2008. It was re-launched and relocated to the central walkway in March 2010.

The direct and local food sales sector has proved to be one of the few agricultural success stories of the past decade.  Since 1997 the number of farmers’ markets has grown to around 750.

The National Farmers' Retail and Markets Association (FARMA) is the name of the merged National Association of Farmers’ Markets and the Farm Retail Association.  It is now the largest single organisation, of its type, serving farmers markets, farm shops, pick-your-own outlets and box schemes.

The National Farmers’ Retail and Markets Association exists to promote and protect genuine farmers’ markets for the sake of producers, consumers and the environment.  For more details visit the FARMA web site on www.farma.org.uk  or call 0845 45 88 420.  For farmers’ market listings www.farmersmarkets.net/findafmkt.htm

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: pr@dransfield.co.uk