Food miles to food metres

PUBLISHED: 10:46 28 February 2014 | UPDATED: 10:46 28 February 2014

Archant

On the right day, in many of our towns and villages you will find a cornucopia of local seasonal produce as well as a chance to chat to the growers and farmers themselves who take pride in their knowledge and their produce.

Today’s farmers’ markets are often a grand day out, turning the chore of a weekly shop into a pleasurable day, getting to know local produce and its producers while discovering more about what you put on your plate. 
 The produce served up at your local farmer’s market will generally come from no more than 30 miles away, but more often far less than that. Traditional products are a given, as fresh fruit and vegetables bring colour to the stalls, while cheeses, meats, and freshly baked bread and cakes will leave your stomach rumbling.
 At Grampound Local Produce Market, sales of certain products help a specific cause within the community. “Our cafe serves delicious coffee and home-made cakes and all the profits go to our village hall refurbishment,” explains Caroline Cudmore.
 Other local markets also use the regular meetings as a way to help charities and causes. At Sennen market the coffee shop is run for local charities, whilst a well stocked second-hand book shop raises money for vital local charities. “The book shop has helped raise some £3000 for Shelter box,” says Wynne Jones.
 At Coads Green Community Market local groups are given the opportunity to get involved with the market and raise money for their cause. “Refreshments are provided by a different group of people in the village to raise funds for their cause such as the playgroup, primary school, hockey club, pantomime group et cetera,” explains Anne Langley, “It has become a venue for various village committee meetings.”
 Coads Green Community market is also taking part in the rise of stalls which sell products other than food. Local industries and crafters set up stalls of gifts and goodies for the public, as well as other obscurities. “We even have someone who researches family trees or the history of property,” says Anne. 
 The increase in popularity of ‘local’ has meant that farmers’ markets - and their newer cousin, the country market cooperatives - while remaining predominantly food based, have expanded and begun to involve other local trades and independent crafters. The sense of community fills the air at farmers’ markets, particularly at Helston Country Market, “We are a cooperative market that any local producer may join. As we are a cooperative we work together to sell each others goods.” 
 Working together, the producers at this market are an example of what makes local farmers’ markets so great.
 And today’s the markets are not just about getting - and giving farmers - a good deal. In Cornwall’s local markets the community comes together to help one another, learn about their local produce, and help charities which affect those around them – not to mention they’re a good place to have a catch up and a taste or two of something delicious! Be inspired and head down to a farmers’ market near you!

Bude Farmers’ Market

Location: Lower Wharf, Bude EX23 8LG

Every other Friday from 10am to 2pm

Camborne Produce Market

Location: Commercial Square, Trelowarren Street, Camborne

Second Friday of every month from 9am 
to 3pm

Camelford Farmers’ Market

Location: Camelford Hall, Cleave Road, Camelford

Every Wednesday from 12pm to 4pm

Carnon Downs Local Produce Market

Location: Carnon Downs Village Hall

Last Saturday of every month from 9am 
to 12pm

Coads Green Community Market

Location: Coads Green Village Hall

Fourth Saturday of every month from 9:30am to 12:30pm

Constantine Farmers’ Market

Location: Constantine Church Hall

Second Saturday of every month from 9:30am to 12pm


Crocadon Producer Fairs

Location: Crocadon Sawmill, St. Mellion, Saltash, PL12 6RL Every third Saturday of the month Tel: 01579 350096

Falmouth Farmers’ Market

Location: The Moor, Falmouth

Every Tuesday from 9am to 2pm

Grampound Produce Market

Location: Grampound Village Hall

Fourth Saturday of every month from 10am to 1pm

Heamoor Farmers’ Market

Location: The British Legion, Heamoor, Penzance TR18 3EH

Every Saturday from 9:30am to 12pm

Helston Farmers’ Market

Location: The Old Cattle Market, Porthleven Road, Helston.

First Saturday of every month from 9:30am to 1:30pm

Helston Country Market

Location: The Guildhall, Helston.

Every Friday from 8am to 12pm

Isles of Scilly Local Produce Market

Location: Town Hall or on Holgates Green depending on weather.

First Thursday of every month from 10am to 2pm

Launceston Farmers’ Market

Location: St Mary’s Hall, Launceston

Every Friday from 9:30am to 2pm

Liskeard Farmers’ Market

Location: Mole Valley Farmers, Moorswater Industrial Estate, Liskeard

Every other Friday from 10am to 12pm

Lostwithiel Farmers Market

Location: Lostwithiel Community Centre

Every other Friday from 10am to 2pm

Mullion Farmers’ Market

Location: Mullion School, Meavor Road, Mullion TR12 7EB

Third Saturday of every month from 9:30am to 1pm

Pendeen Farmers’ Market

Location: The Centre of Pendeen, Church Road, Pendeen, TR19 7SE

First and third Saturday of every month from 10am to 1pm

Penzance Farmers’ Market

Location: St John’s Hall, Alverton Street, Penzance, TR18 2QR

Every Friday from 9am to 2pm

Perranporth Country Market

Location: Memorial Hall, Perranporth

Every Friday from 10am to 12pm

Sennen Farmers’ Market

Location: Sennen Community Centre, Sennen, TR19 7AW

Every Tuesday from 9am to 12pm

St Austell Local Produce Market

Location: Aylmer Square, White River Place, St Austell PL25 5LX

Every Friday and Saturday from 9:30am to 3:30pm

St Buryan Farmers’ Market

Location: The Village Hall, St Buryan, 
TR19 6ES

Second and fourth Saturday of every month from 9:30am to 12:30pm

St Erth Farmers’ Market

Location: St Erth Methodist Church, St Erth, Hayle TR27 6HL

Every Saturday from 10am to 
12pm

St Ives Farmers’ Market

Location: The Guildhall, Street-an-Pol, 
St Ives

Every Thursday from 9:30am to 2pm

St Leven Farmers’ Market

Location: Methodist Weslyan Chapel, Trethewey St, St Levan TR19 6LP

First Monday of every month from 10am to 12pm

St Neot Farmers’ Market

Location: The Village Hall, St Neot First Saturday of every month from 9am to 12pm

Stithians Produce Market

Location: Stithians Centre, Church Road, Stithians TR3 7DH

Third Saturday of every month from 9:30am to 12:30pm

Stoke Climsland Farmers’ Market

Location: The Old School, Stoke Climsland PL17 8NY

First Saturday of every month from 9am to 12:30pm

Truro Farmers’ Market

Location: Lemon Quay Piazza

Every Saturday from 9am to 4pm

Wadebridge Country Market

Location: Town Hall, The Platt, 
Wadebridge. Tel: 01208 812643

Every Thursday from 7:45am to 12:30pm

There are many more local produce markets held in village halls throughout Cornwall - check your local information boards for times and dates. 
It is worth checking beforehand if you are contemplating a lengthy journey. Search online for your local market for more details.