The Welsh Government and Organic Centre Wales have teamed up to organise a farmers’ market, at the Welsh Government Offices in Aberystwyth, as part of the activities to mark Europe Day on the 9 May 2012. The market, which will be open from 12:00pm to 05:00pm, will showcase some of the best organic and local produce in West Wales including fruit and vegetables, shitake mushrooms, eggs, preserves, flour, bread and cakes.
The market is funded by the Better Organic Business Links (BOBL) project which provides opportunities, information and training for businesses in the Welsh organic sector to help them deliver better profitability, sustainability and exemplary environmental performance. The BOBL project has received funding of £2 million through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.
The Welsh Government has awarded £800,000 of funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales for a two year project which delivered a major consumer-focused awareness raising and marketing campaign throughout Wales to promote Direct Sales of Food and Drink by primary producers to consumers and other related businesses through Farmers Markets, Farm Shops, Box schemes and Internet sales. www.fork2fork.org.uk
Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European Programmes Alun Davies said: “Supporting sustainable food and farming in Wales is vitally important to the rural economy, the Better Organic Business Links project has been designed to help businesses in the organic sector improve and flourish and Farmers’ Markets play an important role in showcasing what local and organic produce these businesses in Wales have to offer.
“Farmers’ Markets bring the local community together and contribute to the cultural identity of an area, which in turn attracts tourists. This is an excellent example of how we can benefit from European funding and how it is helping to build strong local communities and supporting the rural economy in Wales.”
Tony Little, who is organising the market, in partnership with Ceredigion County Council and Welsh Government, said; “This is a great opportunity to show off just some of what is on offer locally. By holding it outside town on a weekday, I want to reach people who don’t normally come to the twice monthly Saturday market in town. On the other hand, I hope to demonstrate to the producers that there is a real appetite for their fresh organic produce and I want everyone who comes to leave knowing a little bit more about what it means to be organic.”
Anne Evans, Blaencamel Farm who will be attending the Farmers’ Market said Farmers’ markets have so much potential. They help people to eat locally, healthily and in season and in doing so provide a real boost to the local economy. For visitors to the area, they provide an obvious and colourful opportunity to experience the wonderful food produced in Ceredigion. But if farmers’ Markets are to help change the food and shopping culture, they should not be seen as a special treat but as a normal part of everyone’s weekly shopping pattern.”
