For several years now, Saltaire has had a Farmers' Market on the Caroline Street car park. It's held on the third Saturday every month and sells a range of local and home made produce - seasonal organic fruit and vegetables, meat and sausages, cheeses, pickles, bread, eggs, honey, jams and preserves, flowers and herbs. Sadly the size of the market has steadily diminished and I believe its future is under review by the local Council who organise it.
It's such a great idea but I personally harbour a lot of guilt that I don't actually use it much - even though I believe it is A Good Thing. Why don't I? Well, for a start I can never remember which Saturday it's open and by the time I'm up and out on a Saturday, they tend to be packing up! From that point of view I'm sure it would do better if it were a weekly market. For another thing, it's not especially cheap... sure, you get what you pay for in terms of quality but I do have to watch my budget. Thirdly there's only me, so I don't have a large weekly shop and some of the stuff it sells I hardly ever eat (meat, bread [ie: wheat], preserves, pickles). There is a regular (ordinary) market not far away in Shipley and a big supermarket too, so convenient. I tend to shop on a Friday night to leave the weekend free and like to plan my menus, rather than just going along to 'see what they have this week'. I know, I ought to make the effort. Despite my non-patronage, I do hope the Farmers' Market continues and grows stronger. Ventures like that 'fit' with Saltaire somehow and ought to be a good thing for the village as a whole.
Just catching up with you and am thrilled to find you have a gorgeous baby grandaughter (and such a beautiful name!)Is she out of hospital yet? You looked STUNNING in your fashion show - ring M&S as twiggy is starting to show her age! xxxx
ReplyDeleteYes, Diane, they brought Elodie home yesterday (Monday) and she's doing well.
ReplyDeleteWe have a Farmers Market hereabouts, but the cost of the produce is prohibitive and, sadly, not always appealing.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear that little Elodie is home and doing well. You must be looking forward to Christmas, this year.
I would have thought the Farmers Market would be a real hit in your area Jenny. We have two of them within an hours drive from my home and people go there for the ambiance - breakfast at the markets is a real buzz and the produce is locally grown and definitely farm fresh.
ReplyDeleteIt will be a real pity if your local market closes but they are supposed to be about the occasion and I guess if the atmosphere is lacking people won't go.
What a delight your little Elodie is home at last xx
That is a sad tale. I wish we had a farmer's market close by . We have quite a few in brisbane but not anywhere near us. Unless they are convenient and competitive It will be hard for them to survive.
ReplyDeleteI'm guilty too! I just grab everything I need in the supermarket and get shopping over with as quickly as possible. Best wishes to Elodie!
ReplyDeleteI love England's market days! I can put myself into that photo and enjoy being there. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat news that Elodie is home and doing well. Now the real grandmothering can begin! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWe love farmers' markets but were unable to sustain the one we tried to organize 3 years ago, and the one some 25 miles from here seemed to fizzle this year. There are strong ones 50 and 70 miles away, but we have to have additional reasons to make those trips. Jim
So glad to read in the comments that your granddaughter is home! Praise God! We have a farmers market here too and like you, I love the thought of it, but don't use it much. My problem? I rarely have cash with me!
ReplyDeleteI'm equally guilty. I get my food shopping done as quickly as possible and would never remember which Saturday it was!
ReplyDeleteGood news about Elodie! :)
There are a lot of farmer's markets here too but I also find them horribly expensive. The average person can't afford to buy all there produce there!
ReplyDeleteI do hope it won't be closed down! I think it would be a lot more practical were it to be held weekly, since I can quite understand forgetting which Saturday etc! I have the same problem here. Now we know why you look so slim and lovely. You don't eat meat, or wheat products, or any of the other 'baddies' ;)
ReplyDeleteI've just scrolled back to read the other comments and see Elodie is home! Wonderful news, Jenny!
ReplyDeleteI have trouble making it to our local farmer's market also. I just don't want to make that drive to town on Saturday morning.
ReplyDeletenelie
All the best for your market, we have a huge one here every Saturday, but it is finished at the end of October.
ReplyDeleteIt is very successful, with musicians, buskers etc. But we have a big population.( 35,000). In Armstrong it is big too, population around is 15,000.
I used to like the name Melody. What happened to the M?
Looks great, I'd love to visit it!
ReplyDeleteI use a farmer's market only infrequently, at the margin. It is fun having them, though. Over time, maybe you and I will both adapt.
ReplyDeleteAh, the contest between principles and practicalities! We (or to be honest, my honey) shop partly at what is called the "wet" market (but it's a permanent daily thing) and partly in the supermarket. Sweet news that Elodie is home. And yesterday's autumn colours are eye candy for me in the ever green tropics. I wrote this while listening to the song; calming.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny,
ReplyDeleteI just linked to your picture of the farmers' market for an article on my new blog about the organic veg stall.
Strangely, the person at the stall is me!
:) Here's my article: http://dickdigests.blogspot.com/2012/02/brickyard-organics.html