Background
London Farmers Markets opened its first farmers market in 1999 and because of the markets popularity decided to open more. From opening the first ever farmers market in London, we now run over 20 weekly farmers markets.
| Farmers' Market | launch date |
| Islington | 6 June 99 |
| Notting Hill | 29 Sep 99 |
| Swiss Cottage | 25 Sep 99 |
| Wimbledon | 6 May 00 |
| Blackheath | 24 Sep 00 |
| Twickenham | 11 Nov 00 |
| Ealing | Sep 01 |
| Pimlico Road | 15 Jun 02 |
| Marylebone | 22 Jun 03 |
| Queens Park | 11 Sept 05 |
| Clapham | 25 Jun 06 |
| Walthamstow | Sep 07 |
| South Kensington | May 08 |
| Parliament Hill | Sep 08 |
| Brixton | Sep 09 |
| Devonshire Sq | Sep 09 |
| Bermondsey | Nov 09 |
What is a farmers’ market?
Farmers’ markets are the next revolution in British agriculture, food retailing and cooking. Farmers gather weekly to sell their own fresh fruit, vegetables, salads, juice, cheeses, herbs, meat, wines, eggs and breads directly to consumers. There is no middle man. Farmers are not allowed to purchase and resell produce. All farms are within 100 miles of the M25.
Our aims at London Farmers’ Markets
- To supply Londoners with fresh, local, high-quality food
- To provide markets for small and medium-sized producers
- To encourage humane, organic, and environmentally sound farming
- To rediscover lost varieties and rare breeds
- To emphasize flavour over cosmetic perfection in fruit and vegetables
- To campaign on food and farming issues, such as supporting small abattoirs
Why now?
Food awareness has gone mainstream. Scares like BSE, concerns about GMOs and dismay over factory farming such as battery hens have increased the consumer’s desire for complete and clear information about how their food was grown. At the market, the consumer’s questions and demands are heard and heeded. Cooks buy local foods in season. Food miles are reduced. For farmers, the appeal is obvious: producer prices and farm incomes have been falling for years. At markets, farmers earn retail prices.
Where did farmers’ markets come from?
Farmers’ markets are simply ancient trading habits rediscovered. The farmers’ market revival began about 25 years ago in the US, and they never disappeared in much of Europe. There are more than 3,000 farmers markets in the US selling more than $1 B in fresh produce annually.
Britain is a country of market towns. It is not surprising that the movement here is explosive. In March 1998 there was only one farmers’ market in England - in Bath. Now they are springing up all over the country.
Who benefits from farmers’ markets?
Markets raise farm incomes without subsidies, keep family farms in business, and protect the countryside. Customers can buy fresh, seasonal, unsprayed and often organic produce. Customers can ask the farmer how food was grown or reared. Footfall increases in town centres as customers use individual retails rather than supermarkets and local shops do more business.