Food miles to food metres
PUBLISHED: 10:46 28 February 2014 | UPDATED: 10:46 28 February 2014

Archant
Once only a few stalls selling vegetables, today’s farmers’ markets are often a grand day out, offering visitors the chance to get to know local produce and its producers and discover more about what you put on your plate. Ellis Taylor finds out more

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.