[20
JAN 99] STRATFORD ON AVON DISTRICT COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE
Farmers' Market In Stratford Gets Green LightThree pilot farmers' markets have been given the go ahead at Rother Street
Market, Stratford-upon-Avon on the first Saturdays in May, June and July. Stratford
District Council has provided £2,500 to help funding for a project officer to co-ordinate
the scheme.
A farmers' market is different from other markets, as
traders are exclusively the producers of the goods they are selling. This means that
farmers bring their own produce to the market and sell directly to consumers.
Farmers' markets bring economic benefits by providing the
farmers with additional marketing opportunities, and by attracting more people into the
town centre. Other benefits include environmental benefits by reducing the distance food
travels, as traders are local, social benefits by bringing vibrancy to the town and health
benefits as consumers can talk direct to producers.
"This can only be good news for farmers, consumers and
indeed the District," says David Barber, Stratford District Council's Environmental
Co-ordinator who represents the District Council on the Farmers' Market Steering Group.
"We're getting tremendous support for the idea. We've
still got work to do to make it happen, but the door is now wide open."
Following the decision at Stratford Town Council (who
manage the Rother Street market) General Purpose meeting last night (Tuesday), the way
forward now is for the Steering Group to assemble producers who are able to fulfil the
requirements and are prepared to commit themselves to the project.
This project has been undertaken as part of the District
Council's ongoing commitment to improve the environment. Stratford District Council is one
of just two nation-wide to be registered under the European Community's Environmental
Management System (the Eco Management and Audit Scheme - EMAS). EMAS commits the Council
to continuous environmental improvement and as part of this the Council has undertaken
100s of environmental initiatives over the last few years.
MORE INFORMATION:
Beverley Thomson, press officer on 01789 260105
or David Barber, Environmental Co-ordinator on 01789 260117
e-mail: david.barber@stratford-dc.gov.uk
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