Shropshire Farmers’ Markets Bring Heritage Pie to Food Festival
Farmers Markets in Shropshire are competing against one another to bring the best Shropshire Fidget Pie accompanied by a local real ale to the dinner table, the competition culminates at the Ludlow Food Festival this September where the overall winner from all of the markets’ will be judged and announced.
The competition is the idea of Tish Dockerty coordinator of the Shropshire Farmers’ Market Marketing Campaign. She states, ‘Well we need to rediscover our own food heritage, the Cornish have their pasty (which recently received protective status!), well we have our own pie and it’s unknown to many people in Shropshire! We are also asking for the pie to be accompanied by a suitable ‘pint’ or bottle of real ale sourced within 30 miles of the market to which it is entered, we’ll have a fine assortment of real ales from across the region.’
There are various theories as to why a Fidget Pie derives its name fidget, some say it’s from having ‘fitched’ or a five sided shape. But the truth is no one really knows. The key ingredients are bacon and apples. There should be onions, too, and cider, and potatoes, all in a pastry case and served hot.
We recommend you contact your local farmers market to find out when the competition will be held locally. The winners from each market will then go into a final heat in August for the winner to be announced at the Ludlow Food Festival in September.
The Shropshire farmers’ marketing initiative is 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, Wem, Shrewsbury, Made in Shropshire, Shifnal, Harper Adams, Ironbridge, Bishops Castle, Ludlow, Craven Arms and Much Wenlock.
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.
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.
For more information please contact Tish Dockerty 01584 872043 or 07985 218727.
