East Cambridgeshire District Council

Ely Farmers’ Market has again been shortlisted as a finalist for the ‘Farmers' Market of the Year Award 2012’ by the National Farmers’ Retail & Markets Association (FARMA) Annual awards.

Established in July 2000, the Farmers’ market sees thousands of shoppers visit every 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month to the pick up some of the best food and produce in the region.

The Market opens at 8.30am to 2pm with stallholders offering fresh fruit and vegetables, beef, pork, game and poultry, eggs, bread and cakes, plus preserves and sauces.

The market has been a regional award winner and been in the national top ten for each of the last three years as a result of the range of goods on offer, cookery demonstrations and special events.

For example, this weekend shoppers can learn how to “Shake up your wake up” a national scheme run by the Home Grown Cereals Association) to highlight the importance of a healthy breakfast. There will be a taster stall where traders will show shoppers how to prepare a nutritious meal to start the day.

There will be sausages and bacon from Cambria Farm and Grasmere Farm, breads and granola from Cobs Bakery, apple juice from Ashill fruit Farm, jams and preserves from Little Common Farm and Brownsfield Farm, breakfast bars, flapjacks and muffins from The Ginger Bread Lady and Toms cakes and fresh eggs from Manor Farm all available for people to try.

Councillor Richard Hobbs, Chairman of the Community and Environment Sub-Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Ely Farmers’ Market is a fantastic experience – with the best local produce from miles around being made available on the stalls on the Market Place. A lot of people have worked incredibly hard to develop the market from traders to those who help to out the stalls. I am sure all of us will have our fingers crossed for later this month when the result comes in.

“The Market has built up such a great reputation because of some the special events we put on and this weekend there is an opportunity to learn more about how to start your day with amazing healthy breakfasts. A good meal at the start of the day can benefit your mood, physical and mental performance, weight and health. In other words, starting the day with breakfast can help make you healthier and happier. So come along and learn how to start your day in a great way this Saturday.”

The 2012 National Winners will be announced and trophies presented by FARMA patron Clarissa Dixon Wright at the FARMA Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 31 January.  

FARMA (National Farmers' Retail & Markets Association) is the accrediting body for Farmers' Markets across the UK and each year judges the best Farmers' Market in the country.