Kent leads the way for farmers' markets

Kent Farmers’ Market Association (KFMA) has joined in with the chorus of calls supporting the farmers’ market model of retail, in light of the government’s Food 2030 report. The report, launched by MP Hilary Benn earlier this month, outlines the Labour government’s food strategy over the next 20 years. In it, they encourage “further development of sustainable farmers’ markets…to provide farmers and producers with a way to add value to their product and meet consumer demand for more regional and local food.”

KFMA reported record attendance and an increased demand for produce across the 40 markets in the county, in the run up to Christmas. Benjamin Dent, Chairman of Kent Farmers’ Market Association said: “A key word in the sustainable food dictionary is ‘local’ ". Ultimately he says, “Farmers' Markets provide shoppers with higher quality, more nutritious, easily traceable, fresher local food and drink.”

National Farmers’ Retail and Market Association (FARMA) research figures from 2008 put the number of Farmers’ Markets at 800 across the UK.