FARMA's National Annual Conference 2007 was held in Huntingdon this week (12 Nov 07). Monday of the conference focused on farmers' markets, and was aimed at farmers' market organisers, managers, and stallholders. The event was a rousing success with over 70 farmers' markets managers and organisers attending, as well as some stallholders and a Farmers' Markets trade show.

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All farmers' markets that would normally be open this weekend are open as usual, except those in the foot & mouth restricted zones in Surrey. See DEFRA for the latest information.
Livestock farmers have been urged to carry out risk assessments before deciding whether or not to attend farmers' markets and there may be some stallholders missing at markets as a result. Also livestock movement restrictions imposed from the 3rd to the 8th August may result in some farmers in all parts of the country being short of meat to sell at farmers' markets and farm shops. Supplies will be back to normal very quickly as livestock movements have resumed.

Fruit & veg growers are unaffected, and farm shops & PYO farms are open all round the country as usual! Come out and show your support for farmers and local food producers this weekend... and every weekend!

The National Farmers’ Retail & Markets Association (FARMA) has announced the winners of its Farm Retailer of the Year, Farmers’ Market of the Year and Best Farm Retail Newcomer. The Awards, and certificates for the regional finalists, were presented at the FARMA national conference in Torquay on 14 November.

The 2007 FARMA CERTIFIED FARMERS’ MARKET OF THE YEAR award, sponsored by Zapp Canopy Umbrellas and Chillerz, went to Edinburgh Farmers’ Market, recognising its transition to a weekly presence while retaining and growing its range of some 50 stallholders without compromising quality or the ethos of farmers’ markets. Various promotions involved customers in the market as a dynamic organisation. Its managers, Richard Darke and Tristram Maclean at Edinburgh City Centre Management have also developed a number of ‘satellite’ farmers’ markets in schools to promote a local foods, healthy-eating message and bring new customers to the main market – something which the judges felt could be a useful example for others in developing farmers’ markets.

Regional finalists for this award were:
Midlands: Kings Norton Farmers’ Market, Birmingham
Scotland and the North: Edinburgh Farmers’ Market
South East: Milford Farmers’ Market, Surrey
South-West: Stroud Farmers’ Market, Gloucestershire
Wales: Haverfordwest Farmers’ Market, Pembrokeshire