Food From the Forest
November is a good time to buy venison and game which will be plentiful on the markets. The deer population in the UK is at it highest level for almost 1000 years, without any natural predators this number of deer are damaging trees and degrading our woodland habitats.
Venison is free range, low in fat and very tasty. Follow this link to learn more: Forestry England
![eat venison help birds.jpg](/media/images/eat_venison_help_birds.width-500.jpg)
Why not visit Ashdown Forest Visitor Centre to see how work is going on to restore our natural spaces with a sustainable deer population and you can also experience the home of Winnie the Pooh!
Across our markets you will find game specialists such as The Costwold Pantry, Newhouse Game, Forest Biltong and Venison Man. Many other farms have game from around their area, if you don't see what you are looking for please ask. Also look our for Priestlands Birch and their unique range of birch sap products harvested from the woodlands in Somerset.
![FB_IMG_1567353521011.jpg](/media/images/FB_IMG_1567353521011.width-500.jpg)
Of course this is also the time for wild and farmed mushrooms. Some of our fruit and veg farms will have a limited selection of wild foliage and foraged berries. Mushrooms are versatile and increasingly popular. Our specialist producers include Moreton Mushrooms, Fabulous Fungi, Owley Farm Mushrooms, Tiny Fungi, Brambletye, and Merit Mushrooms.
![IMG_20231104_145858.jpg](/media/images/IMG_20231104_145858.width-500.jpg)
Why not combine them all into a hearty venison dish now the temperature is dropping, which will to warm you up as the nights draw in. NEXT MONTH CHRISTMAS NEWS....
YES ALL MARKETS ARE OPEN ON 23rd And 24th DECEMBER
All markets will be open on the 23rd and 24th December as usual. Sunday markets on Christmas Eve will close 1 hour early at 1pm. Swiss Cottage will reopen on the 3rd January with weekend markets reopening on 6th and 7th January
Imperial and Bloomsbury markets will close a week earlier with their last day being 12th and 14th December respectively. They will reopen on the 9th and 11th of January.
We are proud to say that our Marylebone Farmers Market has reached the final of the Farm Retail Association's Farmers Market of the Year competition. The winner will be announced on the 5th March 2024 so there is much judging and evaluation yet to be done but we are thrilled to make the final.
![IMG_20230321_160237.jpg](/media/images/IMG_20230321_160237.width-800.jpg)
Prize Hamper draw this month!
We will be giving away a wild food hamper with venison biltong, birch sap products mushrooms and more seasonal produce.
Head to our Insta page where details of how to enter will be posted.
Latest news
![IS 25 wide.jpg](/media/images/IS_25_wide.2e16d0ba.fill-360x360.jpg)
July News
The main fruit season is here.
![Francesco.jpg](/media/images/Francesco.2e16d0ba.fill-360x360.jpg)
Summer Vegetable Minestrone Soup Recipe
![notting hill farmers market](/media/images/DSC07858.5287d551.fill-360x360.jpg)
NEW FARMERS MARKET OPENING
GET READY EAST FINCHLEY we are opening our stalls on for the first time at 10am
![IS 25 year page header.jpg](/media/images/IS_25_year_page_header.2e16d0ba.fill-360x360.jpg)
25 years of London Farmers Markets!
Our first market opened in Islington in June 1999. On Sunday the 23rd of June we will be celebrating our 25th anniversary at . Please join us if you can.
![Nut Knowle Farm goats cheese cu.jpg](/media/images/Nut_Knowle_Farm_goats_cheese_cu.2e16d0ba.fill-360x360.jpg)
Rain, rain, go away.
Traditionally the month of May brings the sunshine and not the showers. Someone should tell it! We still have a lot of rain in the forecasts and farmers in parts of the country are struggling to harvest waterlogged fields.
No shortage of fresh veg at the markets though from crisp greens and radishes to sweet spring onions and asparagus. Be sure to get your hands on some new season strawberries as they start to make an appearance - there's nothing quite like their unbeatable flavour and aroma.