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Islington Farmers Market





London Farmers Markets is a small company that exists to provide Londoners with fresh local food, and to provide farmers with a good return for their work. We manage every aspect of the markets from their conception to the daily running. We are very hands on often at markets helping out. Our producers come from within 100 miles of the M25. They must raise grow or bake everything they sell. We allow no middlemen at our markets and have very strict rules about attendance.

We run 15 Certified farmers markets in London as at December 2007 and estimate that they bring £3 million pounds back to the rural economy each year. On top of this many farmers are now establishing links with restaurants and other food outlets in London selling to them directly. The markets provide the hub to make it viable to drive to London. Farmers can then sell at market and deliver to retailers. We estimate that at least 50% of our farmers would not be in business if the London markets did not exist. Many farmers have cut out the middlemen and no longer sell to supermarkets. A number of London based independent food businesses such as artisan bakeries and preserve makers sell at our markets. They and other secondary producers will often use produce such as fruit cream and eggs sold by the farmers at the markets.

LFM has become synonymous with local seasonal produce straight from the farmer. Our strict rules and high standards guarantee that Londoners are buying food from the farm and not a wholesaler. Many markets are opening up calling themselves farmers markets. They allow all sorts of food from olives and bananas to olive oil. Some even allow wholesalers in. We believe that such goods should be sold elsewhere. Our rules exist to protect the interests of both the customer and the producer. Without strict rules we believe that farmers markets do not have a long term future.

There are social benefits to the markets too. People get to meet their neighbours. They talk to people and swap recipes. It has become increasingly rare for people to make shopping a community event but that is exactly what happens at a farmers market. The social benefits not only strengthen urban communities they also spread back to rural areas. Links are made as customers discover where their food comes from. Their growing interest in rural issues and food production surprises and pleases our farmers. In this way the markets build strong relationships between urban and rural communities that in many ways seem worlds apart.

Farmers Markets reduce food miles as all the food is local. Less chemicals are used. More and more of our producers are converting or are thinking of converting to organic methods of production. Healthy eating is encouraged as people rediscover the pleasure of old varieties of apples for instance. Children love seeing Brussels sprouts on the stalk and may even be persuaded to eat them.

At the same time we realise that there are many food issues in London from education to food poverty. We are working with several organisations to increase the availability of fruit and vegetables to sectors of the population who do not have access to healthy foods and are developing ways of increasing both school based and adult nutrition education across London.


Contact Information

Tel: 020 7833 0338
Mobile:
Fax:
Skype:
E-Mail: info@lfm.org.uk
Website: www.lfm.org.uk
Address: Islington Farmers Market
William Tynsdale School, Upper Street
Islington
London
N1 2AQ
United Kingdom

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