Usk Farmers Market
Monmouthshire Local Produce organised its first Farmers' Market (the first in Wales) in the autumn of 1998 and apart from a break during the foot and mouth epidemic of 2001 has held regular markets since that time. The market gained a reputation for having an excellent selection of some of the finest food produced in this area.
The group was formed to connect local producers with their customers with the aim of creating a sustainable approach to local food marketing. The reduction in food miles (the distance food travels between production and consumption) has both economic and environmental positives, reducing the amounts of non renewable energy consumption,the amounts of packaging and emissions into the atmosphere. Also the produce is fresh, sometimes the dew is still on the vegetables!
The early success of this market has been maintained and it has continued to grow and prosper. The Usk market is amongst the very few independant markets in Wales to be finacially self sustaining.
The group is committed to suporting a less intensive and less industrial approach to food production and has a high proportion of organically registered members.
In a recent survey, customers scored the friendliness of the producers as one of the most attractive features of our markets. Farmers' Markets are generally reintroducing human elements into food shopping and factors such as trust,respect and understanding from both producers and customers are becoming an increasingly important part of the transaction.
Our aim is to have regular supplies of a wide range of produce within the constraints of the seasons, the weather and the small scale nature of most of the producers.
Usk is an attractive town with easy access and free parking both adjacent to the market and in the town centre.
[Last updated by Webmaster 14/10/2005 23:30]
|
