HAMPSHIRE Farmers’ Markets is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
The movement that brought farmers closer to consumers was launched in Winchester in 1999.
It now hold nine markets in towns and cities across Hampshire each month.
David Woodroofe, chairman at Hampshire Farmers’ Markets, said: “2019 is shaping up to be a good year already. Winchester was where we held our very first market back in 1999 and it is here where our celebrations will kick-off in May.
"We’re also very excited to announce we will be hosting a special event at Leckford Farm Shop and nursery near Stockbridge in June."
Hampshire Farmers’ Markets have released the all-important market dates for 2019. Fill in your diaries and calendars with the closest one to you. Or, if you’ve never visited before, perhaps your New Year’s resolution could be to go along and try some of the delicious items made by some of our best Hampshire producers.
All members must source at least 20 per cent of their ingredients from Hampshire or within a 20-mile radius. Plus any produce grown, reared or raised must spend at least 50 per cent of its time with the producer. Traceability is important to all of us and visitors to markets can be assured everything is fully traceable.
The markets aren’t the only place you can find delicious produce to buy this year. You will be able to say hello and pick up your favourite ingredients at the Alresford Watercress Festival and Hamble Festival in May as well as Open Farm Sunday at Broughton Buffalo on June 9.
Mr Woodroofe added: “2018 was a great year for new markets and new members joining Hampshire Farmers’ Markets and we’re hoping 2019 will be even better. There are even more brilliant producers to meet at your local market. You can buy everything from chocolate to cheese and salad to strawberries – there’s no reason not to eat seasonal and local. Plus supporting your local producers means you’re also supporting your High Street – something that’s becoming crucially important for the businesses in all our towns and cities.”
The markets have been hailed as boosting many small-scale farmers by allowing them to sell directly to the public, maximising profits by cutting out the middleman.
At one stage the Winchester market was the largest in the UK, regularly attracting around 100 stallholders when based in the Middle Brook Street area. The market uis now held on the High Street.
Full list of market dates:
January
Saturday January 12 Alton
Sunday January 13 Winchester
Saturday January 19 Emsworth
Sunday January 20 Southsea
Saturday January 26 Ringwood
Sunday January 27 Winchester
February
Sunday February 3 Petersfield/Romsey
Saturday February 9 Alton
Sunday February 10 Winchester
Saturday February 16 Emsworth
Sunday February 17 Southsea
Saturday February 23 Ringwood
Sunday February 24 Winchester
March
Sunday March 3 Petersfield/Romsey
Saturday March 9 Alton
Sunday March 10 Winchester
Saturday March 16 Emsworth
Sunday March 17 Southsea
Saturday March 30 Ringwood
Sunday March 31 Winchester
April
Sunday April 7 Petersfield/Romsey
Saturday April 13 Alton
Sunday April 14 Winchester
Saturday April 20 Emsworth
Sunday April 21 Southsea
Saturday April 27 Ringwood
Sunday April 28 Winchester
May
Sunday May 5 Petersfield/Romsey
Saturday May 11 Alton/Hamble
Sunday May 12 Winchester 20th anniversary
Saturday May 18 Emsworth
Sunday May 19 Southsea/Watercress Festival
Saturday May 25 Ringwood
Sunday May 26 Winchester
June
Sunday June 2 Romsey
Saturday June 8 Alton
Sunday June 9 Open Farm Sunday
Saturday June 15 Emsworth
Sunday June 16 Southsea
Saturday June 29 Ringwood
Sunday June 30 Winchester
July
Sunday July 7 Petersfield/Romsey
Saturday July 13 Alton
Sunday July 14 Winchester
Saturday July 20 Emsworth
Sunday July 21 Southsea/Southampton
Saturday July 27 Ringwood
Sunday July 28 Winchester
August
Sunday August 4 Petersfield/Romsey
Saturday August 10 Alton
Sunday August 11 Winchester
Saturday August17 Emsworth
Sunday August 18 Southsea
Sunday August 25 Winchester
Saturday August 31 Ringwood
September
Sunday September 1 Petersfield/Romsey
Saturday September 7 Hamble Food Festival
Sunday September 8 Winchester
Saturday September 14 Alton
Sunday September 15 Southsea
Saturday September 21 Emsworth
Saturday September 28 Ringwood/British Food Fortnight Emsworth
Sunday September 29 Winchester
October
Sunday October 6 Petersfield/Romsey
Saturday October 12 Alton
Sunday October 13 Winchester
Saturday October 19 Emsworth
Sunday October 20 Southsea
Saturday October 26 Ringwood
Sunday October 27 Winchester
Sunday September 29 Winchester
November
Sunday November 3 Petersfield/Romsey
Saturday November 9 Alton
Sunday November 10 Winchester
Saturday November 16 Emsworth
Sunday November 17 Southsea
Sunday November 24 Winchester
Saturday November 30 Ringwood
December
Sunday December 1 Petersfield/Romsey
Sunday December 8 Winchester
Saturday December 14 Alton
Sunday December 15 Southsea
Saturday December 21 Emsworth/Ringwood
Sunday December 22 Winchester/Romsey
Markets are open from 10am-2pm except Winchester, 9am-2pm and Romsey, 10am-1pm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel