In recognition of the standards to which Huntingdon Farmers’ Market is run, the market has been awarded FARMA Certification for the fourth year running.
FARMA Certification is a process of independently verifying that a market is working to the key standards that define a true farmers’ market; these are:
• the majority of stall holders come from within the local area, defined by Huntingdon Farmers’ Market as 30 miles, going up to 50 miles for products which cannot be sourced more locally
• the stallholders at the market will only be selling produce that they have grown reared or processed, using local ingredients, themselves
• the producer or someone involved in production will be present at the stall to sell the product, this enables customers to ask questions about production methods and ingredients
Councillor Colin Hyams, whose portfolio includes responsibility for Huntingdon Farmers’ Market said, “True farmers’ markets are about local, traceable food sold by the people that produce it. As one of those who relocated from London several years ago, it has made me really appreciate the genuine taste of local food”.
Feedback suggests that consumers value the reassurance that the certification logo gives. They know the farmers’ market will be of a certain standard where they will find locally-produced food sold by the producers. Producers say that having direct feedback from customers about their produce is invaluable. They also feel that they are being equal and fair with the other stallholders when selling at a genuine farmers’ market.
The popularity of farmers’ markets continues to grow with an estimated five hundred now being held regularly throughout the UK and some established markets increasing their frequency due to consumer demand. As with all successes farmers’ markets have bread imitation hence the need for certification which was launched in June 2002.
Huntingdon Farmers’ Market, which was named Top Farmers’ Market in the East of England by Country Life Magazine, is held every other Friday in the Market Square from 8m to 2pm.
On Friday 26 October there will be children’s half-term activities from 10am making bird cake for the RSPB’s Feed the Birds Day.