Recent News
The Big Smoke’s Best Banger
Londoners vote for favourite sausage
From today, the hunt is on to find the capital’s best local sausage. In conjunction with The Jellied Eel magazine we're asking you to choose your favourite from a selection available at our farmers’ markets. The 21 sausages entered are all produced by farmers based within 100 miles of the city, and sold on stalls at our London Farmers’ Markets. Producers are putting forward more than just plain pork, with venison and game options being entered as well as Breakfast Marmalade, and liver and bacon flavours!
Go to your local farmers’ market to find out which is your favourite sausage, and to vote for it, go to the Jellied Eel website www.thejelliedeel.org. Please check to see which producers will be at which market, because not all sausages are available at every farmers’ market.
You stand a chance of winning a meal for two at a London restaurant, a bumper banger bag including packs of all five short-listed sausages, and other prizes donated by the winning producer.
A short-list of those voted for by the public will be put to a tasting panel including food critic Charles Campion, chefs Fergus Henderson of St John and Alan Stewart of Manson, and butcher Charlotte Harbottle (aka @girlbutcher).
The sausages in competition are-
12 Green Acres: Cooking Chorizo
Animal Farm: Liver, Bacon & Onion
Boarstall Meats: Beef & Guiness
Downland Pigs: Breakfast Marmalade
Fosse Meadows: Chicken Sausage
Galileo Farm: Plain pork
Giggly Pig: Wow Wow
Grasmere Farm: Lincolnshire Sausage
Hambledon: Venison El Diablo
Lee House Farm: Lee House Farm Gluten Free Sausage
March House Farm: Firecracker
Northfield Farm: Pork Breakfast Sausage
Old Hall Farm: French Farmhouse
Parsons Nose: Parsons Nose Traditional Sausage
Pastures Poultry: Pastures Farm Turkey Sausage
Paul Sykes: Venison
Radwinter game : Wild Poacher
Rockwell End Pigs: Cumberland
Stockings Farm: Pork and Leek
Stocks Farm: Pork Honey, Beer & Mustard Seeds Sausage
Wicks Manor Farm: Old English
Sausage
"Favourite Stall" Award Winners Announced
We are delighted to announce the winners of our 2011 "Favourite Stall" competition, as voted for by Farmers' Market shoppers.
It is fair to say that they are all very worthy winners indeed....
2011 "Favourite Stall" Award winners:
Balham: Brambletye Fruit Farm (plus Highly Commended: Riverdale Farm)
Blackheath: Saffery Farm
Bloomsbury: Woodwards Farm
Brixton: Manor Farm (plus Highly Commended: Akiki Organics)
Ealing: Ixhill Farm
Islington: Perry Court Farm
Marylebone: The Potato Shop
Notting Hill: Grasmere Farm
Parliament Hill: Eden Farms
Parson's Green: Little Jack Horners
Pimlico: Beatbush Farm
Queen's Park: Old Post Office Bakery
St John's Wood: Wild Country Organics
Swiss Cottage: March House Farm
South Kensington: Christchurch Fish
Twickenham: Lee House Farm
Walthamstow: Seafayre
Wimbledon: Downland Pigs (Highly Commended: The Tomato Stall)
Some praise for Farmers' Market stalls in 2011
In the last month, since asking customers to nominate their favourite stalls at our Farmers' Markets across London in 2011, we have been bombarded with praise for different farmers and producers on the markets. Here are just a few of them...
Harvest Moon: "Always cheerful, always takes time to chat with each person, always has great eggs and makes my trip to the market a real treat. His eggs are a very reasonable price too! thanks, we LOVE the market and all it does to promote local eating and producers."
Galileo Farm: "really well flavoured chicken etc. Pork bellies to die for."
Fosse Meadows; "they know their produce, which is delicious if there is a question they can't answer, they will "phone mum" or similar while you wait to find out. excellent people people."
Keith, Stockings Farm: "best food, best service, best jokes!"
Christchurch Fish: "knowledge, customer feedback, excellent product , reasonable prices"
Perry Court Farm (Islington): "Excellent quality, keen prices, friendly and helpful staff."
Perry Court Farm (Swiss Cottage): "their produce is brillant and good value for money. Most of all Mark is very friendly."
Perry Court Farm (Blackheath): " vegetables, variety and value!"
Wild Country Organics: "My idea of a true _farmer's_ market stall= Wild Country Organics (at the Bloomsbury Farmers' Market) as my favourite stall. They have wonderful tomatoes and peppers and a great choice of greens - I've never seen sorrel sold anywhere else!"
Wild Country Organics: "Outstanding and varied produce plus cheerful, humorous, helpful and efficient stall holder, i.e. NATHAN"
Wild Country Organics. "I love their fresh, crisp and tasty produce and the staff are lovely too."
March House Farm. "Great meat and excellent service."
March House Farm: "like to nominate Mike who runs the meat stall. Sorry I can’t remember his surname, but he comes in from Melton Mowbray. He is a delight – always cheerful even when he has recently had a hip replacement. The same can be said for members of his family who sometimes give him a hand. And the meat is excellent."
March House Farm: "Very helpful, particularly with all the bits that Supermarkets don't sell"
Beatbush Farm: "The best meat ever"
"Isle of Wight Tomato Stall - so friendly and such delicious tomatoes! We just love shopping at Blackheath Market every Sunday we can make it. Perry Court Farm where we get all sorts of lovely greengrocery from Kent. Terrific stall. Simon Hitches at Green Poultry where we buy beautiful eggs and especially wholesome, much loved dogfood, our dog the picture of health. David Jennings from whom I buy a delicious dressed crab most weeks for my Sunday supper and fresh fish. Redlays Farm who bring us natural untreated milk and cream, full of goodness. Must have, every week. There is also a very nice man who sells good herbs and who answers my many basic questions with great patience. Thank you, thank you for our lovely market"
The Potato Shop: "Steve is always cheerful and his many varieties of potatoes has opened our eyes to the range of types and tastes."
Akiki Organics." Charbel has the most delicious produce I've ever had in my whole life! He's a hardworking man."
"Notting Hill: Hurdlebrook Dairy (I just love their milk!!) Queens Park: Poppy's KItchen (the tarts are to die for!)"
Sea Fayre (Walthamstow): "Their fish is delicious, always very fresh and they are very friendly too! My boys love having one of their plaice made into goujons."
Layer Marney Lamb (Marylebone): "Excellent Meat and Game at reasonable prices, helpfully and charmingly served."
"Richard Waller's smoked duck is fantastic, as are the chickens, but then so are the chickens and pheasants from Layer Marney. And the veg from Sunnyfields & Wild Country Organics, incredible apples from the guy who arrives in Autumn. Then there's The Mushroom Table and the Potato Shop, chicken joints, eggs & watercress from Harvest Moon... They are all winners for us!"
"I have two favourite stalls at Wimbledon Park Farmers Market. Isle of Wight Tomatoes and the eggs from the chicken stall [Harvest Moon] and the Chegworth Valley stall, that makes three. In all it is my favourite shopping site. Many thanks to all involved."
"too many favourites at Blackheath for me to vote for an individual"
"We love the farmers markets and go every weekend to Notting Hill (and sometimes the Marylebone one. We want to nominate The Pudding Stop! That guy is AMAZING!"
Lee House Farm: "I go to Twickenham farmers market , where I buy meat , veg, eggs , cheese , and plants , so all the stalls are my favourite , but the eggs on Grant Roffey's Lee House farm stall are something else , so he would be my favourite"
Simon Long: "Simon at Marylebone deserves an award for his oysters alone!"
Malcolm Stone: "My vote goes to the apple grower's stall (Malcolm) at the Parson's Green Market. Thank you for bringing the market to our area ; we have become assiduous visitors."
"MouthFull Food Company: Their soups are as good as any homemade soups with heaps of fresh veg and very authentic tastes...it looks like pea soup, it tastes like peas..it is pea soup!"
Gary's Fresh Fish (Twickenham): "Just Brilliant!"
Simon Long: "I'd like to vote for the Norfolk Fish stall Weston & Long - wonderful quality of sustainable fish: brilliant fish cakes"
"The whole experience of shopping at farmers' markets is pleasurable, talking to people who know and care about what they sell - it's like greeting old friends every week. Long may they flourish."
Flourish Bakery: "I would like to nominate Flourish Craft Bakery at the Broadgate Farmers Market as the one stall I can never walk past without buying something. Thank you for introducing good, ethically produced food, to the centre of London. I go on my way into work and, if I can, come back at lunchtime when I can carry some more back to the office!"
Galileo Farm: "I shop every Sunday at Islington Farmers' Market and have done since the market opened over 10 years ago. Picking one stall is so hard - I thought about Eden Farms veg - brilliant produce and super stall holders, the new addition - very welcome - South Downs Game stall. What about Perry Court Farm with their superb quality fruit and vegetables, cheaper than any supermarket and 100 times better? Or the lovely lady on the seafood stall. The plant and flower stall? And so it goes on. We are so lucky. Can I vote for Galileo meats please. They have introduced soil association superb quality meat to the market and the people are such good fun."
Eden Farms: "I'd like to nominate the Eden farms vegetable stall at the Parson's Green market. There is always a great and interesting assortment- well displayed, fresh and eye-appealing. I'm always able to carry out a week's worth of veg for a reasonable price. Love their bags of greens which are clean and ready for the pot. Last not least, the women working there are lovely and friendly...always a pleasure to frequent this stall."
Bath Soft Cheese Company: "friendly service and produce is delicious!"
Plum Bun: "This lady has her stall at Bermondsey Market on a Saturday. Not only is it my granddaughters favourite stall name but the cakes are great and the people who serves there are always cheer full even on the coldest wettest days!!!"
The Giggly Pig Co.: "This is not only for their produce but their staff. The bods managing the stall are brilliant and so kind. Despite being incredibly busy and rushed, they always have time for a smile and have very generous portions if you are buying a take-away lunch. Their delicious sausages come in so many flavours and are very good value for money. Perfect for tea or Sunday brunch!
Sunnyfields Farm (Marylebone): "Consistently good quality produce all year, nice staff, great display."
"I shop at Twickenham Farmers’ Market. I think we’re so lucky to have such a good farmers’ market in our area. A proper one where you can do your weekly shopping for fresh foods. I always get my eggs and meat from Lee House Farm – I love the fact I can discuss the cuts of meat with the producer. And always get my veg from Manor Farm. I know it’s not necessarily the most local with it coming from Lincolnshire, but the produce is of a really high quality and really tasty, and the people are so friendly."
Fosse Meadows Farm and M&R Morton Roses: "...can not decide between them for very different reasons. But both irreplaceable, unimprovable!!!"
Beatbush Farm: "We go to Pimlico market regularly on Saturdays and thoroughly enjoy it. We find quality everywhere and friendly, knowledgeable stall holders. It is difficult to choose one but for consistent excellence, variety of cuts and importantly good value our vote goes to Nicola Bulgin of Beatbush Farm Foods"
Chegworth Valley: "I shop at Notting Hill Farmers Market and my favourite stall is Chegworth Valley Fruit and Veg. It's a great market and David Deme's Chegworth Farm Shop round the corner in Kensington Church Street has been a terrific addition to the area."
Manor Farm (Marylebone): "They are there come rain, come shine; always cheerful; and with a wonderful selection of fresh veg and flowers, all very reasonably priced. Let's hear it for "Santa" and the gang!"
Simon Long: "I would like to nominate Simon the fisherman (and Paul his assistant) for their wonderful fish and seafood. It’s completely changed my Sunday eating habits."
Simon Long: "I go to Marylebone Farmer’s Market on Sundays. My favourite farmers market it Marylebone and my favourite stall is Weston and Long – Simon the fish stall from Blakeney. They are all great stalls but he is particularly good!"
Wild Country Organics: "Lovely people working on the stall, the salads are always fresh."
Farmers on TV
A couple of Farmers' Market regulars have been spotted on TV recently.
You can see Isle of Wight garlic farmer Colin Boswell discussing the finer points of garlic growing on Channel 4's Drop Down Menu here. The section with Colin in starts at 26 minutes into the show.
Essex pig farmer Tracy Mackness, and her pigs, can be seen on a different episode of the same show here. The section with Tracy in starts also at 26 minutes into the show.
Raw milk at London Farmers' Markets
Rosie and Dave Paull of Hurdlebrook Dairy are getting some well-earned credit for the quality of their unpasteurised Somerset milk.
See the Guardian article on their milk here:
Hurdlebrook Dairy's milk can be found at:
Notting Hill Farmers' Market every Saturday
Islington Farmers' Market on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month
Marylebone Farmers' Market on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month
Other producers of quality unpasteurised milk at London Farmers' Markets include:
Alham Wood Dairy - unpasteurised cows' and buffalo milk at various markets weekly
FW Read and Son - various markets. Contact them to find out where is nearest to you.
Ellie's Dairy - unpasteurised goats' milk
Redlays Dairy - unpasteurised Ayrshire cows' milk at Blackheath Farmers' Market every Sunday
Also:
Brinkworth Dairy bring delicious pasteurised (but unhomogenised) milk to Queen's Park, Balham, St John's Wood and Parson's Green Farmers' Markets weekly, and to Marylebone on the 2nd Sunday of each month. They also make delicious hot drinks from the milk, to warm up market shoppers through the winter months.
Back with a bang
12 Green Acres free range meats return to Notting Hill Farmers Market this month with a range of new products from their farm on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. They have a new butchery service cutting meat to order. This weeks special offer will be a free pack of air dried ham with every purchase over £20.
The farm is creating a new range of cooked pies/savoury rolls, some will be available immediately and more are being tried and tested. Christmas order are now being taken for gammons, joints of beef, pork, venison and lamb as well as large pies.
On the farm they're looking forward to their first litter of Berkshire piglets. Destined for a comfortable, free range life for approximately a year; the pigs will spend their last three months gorging on acorns in the traditional English style known as ‘pannage’ to be in perfect shape for creating the most delicate range of charcuterie products. This range will be marketed under a new name, watch this space!
Find out more about 12 Green Acres here
Pumpkin time
Yes we have pumpkins, and winter squash a plenty. There are hundreds of varieties available to try so experiement until you find your favourite. Don't just carve them, cook them too. Stuff or roast them, turn them into soups, or puree for the best pasta filling.
This dessert is everywhere in Turkey in the autumn and it’s pretty fabulous. Turks Turban would be appropriate; or use Acorn or Onion Squash or your favourite variety.
Turkish candied pumpkin; Kabak Tatlisi
I’ve added some warm spices; leave them out if you prefer a ‘pure’ version.
Serves 4
Ingredients
1.2kg/2½lb Pumpkin
450g/1lb Sugar
100g/4oz chopped Walnuts
Small piece cinnamon stick, nutmeg, 2 cloves
Method
Cut the pumpkin into wedges about 5cm/2-inches thick, remove the seeds and pulp, peel then and cut width ways into slices about 1cm/1/2 inch thick.
Place the slices in a large frying pan (with a lid), sprinkle with the sugar and leave to stand for 4 hours or overnight. The sugar will draw out the liquid in the pumpkin.
Heat your oven to 370 0C . Place the pumpkin in one layer in an oven proof dish with the cinnamon stick and cloves & a grating of nutmeg. Cook for about 40 minutes until tender, checking and moving the pieces around to allow them to cook evenly.
If you like, put the dish under a grill to caramelize. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
Sprinkle with the walnuts. I think its best served with crème fraiche to cut through the sweetness.
Three New Farmers Markets for September
Balham Farmers' Market and Parson's Green Farmers' Market and Bloomsbury Farmers' Market are now open. Join the emailing list for more information.
Balham Farmers' Market Chestnut Grove School SW12 every Saturday.
Parson's Green Farmers' Market New Kings School SW6 every Sunday.
Bloomsbury Farmers' Market Torrington Square every Thursday.
Join the emailing list for more information.
More local food for everyone in London
Farmers' Market returns to Queen Mary University
Queen Mary Farmers' Market reopens on Thursday 22nd September, at Queen Mary University of London, in Mile End. We can't wait to be back! Look out for a handful on new farms and producers alongside some old favourites. Remember, everyone is welcome - you don't have to be a student or staff member.
See the market page for more info: http://www.lfm.org.uk/markets/queen-mary/
Healthy Start Vouchers
We're delighted to announce that the following stalls accept Healthy Start Vouchers:-
The Isle of Wight Tomato Stall
Other fruit and veg farms will follow later this year.
We're really pleased to announce that our farmers are accepting Healthy Start Vouchers, which are available for fruit, milk, and vegetable purchases for familiies with children under 4 years old, and in receipt of benefits. More information available at
www.healthystart.nhs.uk
08707 201 668
