Farmers' Market - April 19

9:55am Monday 21st April 2008

The producers of Worcestershire farmers' markets are in for a busy weekend.

After their usual market in Malvern on Saturday, they'll be rushing off to get ready for a special new market being held at the Fold in Bransford, near Worcester.

The farmers' market stallholders have been invited to run several markets at the Fold, as well as a food festival in September.

The Fold is a not-for-profit community enterprise which, its directors say, "mixes elements of inspiration, creativity and healing to provide a space away from the commercial norm where members of the public can take time to become who they truly are".

You'll find an EcoCafe, artists and craftspeople at the Fold, which is housed in a refurbished barn and redundant farm buildings.

It's at Bransford, between Worcester and Malvern.

Tom Jardine, one of the Fold's directors said: "We have a real interest in local food.

"We would like to hold farmers' markets and support local food producers. We support the idea of locally-produced food for local people. We wanted to have local food at The Fold and the farmers' market were delighted to be invited.

"There was a wonderful synchronism about it."

The Fold's directors are great believers in slow food'.

Tom said: "Slow food is exactly the opposite of fast food. It's food you make yourself, it's local, fresh and preferably organic.

"It is food that is not packaged, with no additives and no chemicals used in its production.

"It is food that is cared for during production. If you grow organic food, you have to care more for it while it is growing to keep the pests away. You can't just spray it and leave it. It's also important that meat is organic and from animals that are happy."

Henry Wormington, chairman of Worcestershire Farmers' Market Group said: "We've got a great selection of producers visiting the Fold this weekend. With slow food, local food and traditionally-reared food becoming more and more important, we think it's great that people are taking more interest in our locally-produced foods.

"There are around 20 stalls booked for the Fold and all the usual favourites will be at Malvern on Saturday. There will be stalls with traditionally-reared meats, vegetables, herbs, bedding plants and shrubs, baked goods and wines.

"It's great to have been invited to The Fold and we hope lots of people come along to see what's happening there and what farmers markets have to offer."

More information about farmers' markets can be found at www.wfmg.co.uk.

l Today's market in Malvern runs from 9am-2pm and at The Fold tomorrow from 10am-2pm.

Next week's market is at St Peter's Garden Centre, Worcester, from 9.30am-2pm on Saturday April 26.

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