Farmers’ markets in Huntingdon, St Neots, St Ives and Ramsey are challenging Huntingdonshire residents to buy at least one local food item for their Christmas dinner this year.

Food miles and carbon footprints are seldom out of the news nowadays and the Farmers’ Market Christmas Challenge aims to highlight an enjoyable way for residents to support the local economy and reduce their food miles and carbon footprint at the same time.  All of the district’s farmers’ markets are Certified as meeting strict criteria that food is local and sold by the producer, so shoppers can be confident they will be getting fresh, seasonal and tasty local ingredients. 
 
The festive markets are expected to attract crowds of people, and shoppers will have the opportunity to grab some last minute Christmas goodies sold by the friendly people who produce them.

The Christmas farmers’ markets will be held in each of the district’s market towns on the following dates;

• Huntingdon on Friday 21 December in the Market Square between 8am – 2pm. 
  At 11am and again at midday shoppers will be able to enjoy the traditional delights of carol singing by the Riverside Singers, a local youth performing arts charity.
• Ramsey on Friday 14 December on the Great Whyte between 8.30am-2pm
• St Ives on Saturday 15 December.
• St Neots on Saturdays 8 and 22 December in the Market Square between 8am-1pm.

Councillor Colin Hyams, whose portfolio includes responsibility for Huntingdon Farmers’ Market said “Buying local food means fewer food miles and that means less pollution and carbon emissions.  The great thing about the Farmers' Markets Christmas Challenge is that you can help the environment and add a tasty ingredient to your Christmas dinner at the same time.  Farmers' markets really have all the seasonal foods that make a good traditional Christmas feast and I have made a festive shop to the markets as part of my Christmas tradition."

Rosemary Hoskins, Advisor to Huntingdon Farmers’ Market said; “The Farmers’ Markets Christmas Challenge is open to all, whether this is your first visit to a farmers’ market or you are a regular shopper.   There is a huge choice of traditional seasonal ingredients for Christmas Day so you could meet the challenge by buying local organic brussels sprouts, parsnips or carrots, a free-range turkey, Christmas puddings or cakes or something more unusual such as venison or ostrich meat.  There are also chipolatas, hand-made chutneys and preserves, not to mention cheeses and cakes and puddings”.

For more information on the farmers’ markets visit the link on the right.