About the Kent Farmers' Market Association

THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND

Henry VIII defined Kent as 'the Garden of England' and it is still true today, with 40% of the horticultural products consumed in the UK (90% of cherries are grown in Kent and 26% of all land growing vines for wine are in Kent.

KENT FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION

We are a voluntary Association initially formed initially to promote Farmers Markets, their locations and times of operation. It is run by volunteers and is a not for profit organisation.

The Association was based on the premise that by co-operating together we can be far stronger than the individual parts.

The first and still the most important joint project initiated by the Association was to develop a web site showing the location of the markets, a brief description including directions, parking information, opening times as well as the local Producers who attended these markets. The web site also incudes 'Advice and Guidance' regarding starting up a market, a retail food business and Food Safety.

FUTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION

The web site has now become a comprehensive guide as to where loacl shoppers and visitors alike can find other local food and drink producers. We see this role as expanding as we take on other local produce and producers.

We aim to become a 'one stop shop' to find all things about local produce i.e. where to find it and how to purchase it., 'Whats in Season ', a Food Festival Calendar and more

We do not sell any produce to the consumer but simply guide them as to where they can find local produce i.e. back to the local producers web site

A common problem experienced by small producers is how do we inform the general shopping public about our produce ? and 'How do they find us to buy our produce ? '. They are so busy producing that most have little time to spend on marketing and very few of them have any experience in this field.

The Association' s role is two fold:-

a) informing the shopping public of both the health and economic benefits of eating local food and

b) where they can find and purchase local food.

Initially we concentrated on promoting Farmers Markets and their Producers but now we have expanded these principles to other local food and drink producers and in particular, WHERE they are located and HOW shoppers can purchase their products. To date we have the following sectors:-

Both Kent and East Sussex are tradintional fruit growing areas. Recently, old and new apple and pear orchards are regenerating with new customers wanting new soft drink tastes. Innovations such as revival of old varieties and mixing apple with other local Kentish fruits (e.g. Raspberry) are changing the market. The same is happening with cider (i.e. the unpasteurised version of apple juice). Apple cider is becoming a key element in cooking whilst Apple Cider vinegar is also growing both as a marinade and health drink.

We offer the same benefits of mutual co-operation to all Producers and Retailers of local food in Kent (and the South East) by:-