Shropshire Farmers' Markets Get A Face Lift
Farmers Markets in Shropshire are being given a marketing boost by an initiative managed by the Shropshire Rural Hub on behalf of the Tourism Strategy Board for Shropshire and Telford. The three year initiative, made possible by European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development funding, has started already with new branding and marketing material and equipment for many of the farmers’ markets from around the county. These include Oswestry, Market Drayton, Whitchurch, Shrewsbury, Bishops Castle, Ludlow, Craven Arms and Much Wenlock. Coming on board soon will be Ironbridge and Harper Adams, Newport.
Farmers Markets are an excellent outlet for local produce from small scale farmers and food producers, by buying local you support less intensive farming, which is better for our countryside, as well as dramatically reducing the number of food miles and supporting your local economy.
Tish Dockerty, who’s co-ordinating the marketing initiative, says ‘It’s great to work with such a variety of farmers’ markets across the county and their organisers, we meet regularly to discuss the best way to improve and market ourselves.’
Farmers’ markets have a special status because the food and drink sold has been produced within 30 miles (and often much closer), and is sold by someone involved in the production who can answer your questions about growing methods or ingredients. You will find not only seasonal fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy produce and eggs from local farms, but also home baking, ready meals, preserves and drinks all made in the area.
Market Drayton - Quarterly –Sundays 10-2pm Next market 12th Dec
Whitchurch - Monthly 1st Saturday of the month 8- midday
Ludlow - Twice Monthly: Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month 9-2pm
Shrewsbury - Monthly: Every 1st Friday of the month 9-4pm except September when it is the moved to the last Friday in August
Craven Arms - Monthly: Every 1st Saturday of the month 9-1pm
Wem - Monthly 2nd Saturday of the month
Oswestry - Monthly: Every last Friday of the month 9-2pm
Made in Shropshire – Shrewsbury Second Saturday of the month
Much Wenlock - Twice Monthly - 1st and 3rd Friday of the month
Bishops Castle - Monthly: Every 3rd Saturday month 9-2pm
Harper Adams/Newport: Next market 5th December
For more information please contact Tish Dockerty 01584 872043 or 07985 218727.
Note to editors: The initiative receives funding from the Rural Development Programme for England, itself funded through The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe: investing in rural areas.
The 'line-up' for the photo is:
Back row (L-R): David Clough - Oswestry FM, Neil Hird and Keith Pinches - Bishops Castle FM
Front row (L-R): David Gibbon - Craven Arms FM, Tish Dockery Project Corodinator and Ludlow Local Produce Market, Sharon Fox-Byrne - Market Drayton FM, Victoria Jones- Shropshire Rural Hub, Pat McLaughlin Ellesmere Town Council, Stephanie Morley - Telford & Wrekin Council
