Aylsham Farmers’ Market celebrates 10th anniversary

Aylsham Farmers’ Market producers gathered in Aylsham Town Hall last week to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Market’s foundation. The Market is the only one in Norfolk to enjoy accreditation from the National Farmers’ Retail & Markets Association (FARMA), a co-operative of farmers, producers selling on a local scale, and farmers’ markets organisers. FARMA member markets have to meet strict criteria, requiring them to ensure that produce on sale to the public is truly local. Regular inspections are carried out by FARMA representatives, with Aylsham checked late last year and passing with flying colours.

The 10th anniversary celebrations took place immediately after the 1 o’clock closing of the Market on 1st Saturday of March when over 30 people got together in the Town Hall to enjoy a light lunch provided by Cittaslow Aylsham, as the Town Council Committee responsible for the town’s two Farmers’ Markets which run on the first and third Saturdays of each month.

Chairman of Cittaslow Aylsham, Liz Jones, welcomed the producers, many of whom had been selling at the Market since its first Saturday in 2002. “A large number of people come into the Market Place on Farmers’ Market Saturdays,” she said, “and so they also benefit the town’s shops while providing a welcome source of genuinely local food for shoppers.”

Summing up the proceedings, Liz Jones commented, “It’s been a great decade for our two farmers’ markets and we’re now looking forward to the next ten years!”