Saltburn Farmers' Market sets out it stall for 2013 (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Saltburn Farmers' Market sets out it stall for 2013

5:55pm Friday 1st March 2013 in News By Lucy Richardson

THE organiser of a popular farmers’ market is urging shoppers to 'buy local' after the recent horsemeat scandal.

Stallholders will be pitching up in Saltburn for its first event of the year on Saturday, March 9.

Lorna Jackson, market organiser, said all produce sold is either grown, reared, caught, brewed, baked or made within a 50-mile radius.

“That’s not only good for the environment – saving thousands of air, road and sea miles – it’s great for shoppers who can chat freely with the stallholders and know exactly where their food is coming from,” she added.

An independent survey carried out by the North-East England Farmers’ Markets Association (NEEFM) on October 13 last year revealed a 112 per cent increase compared with the 4,566 people during their previous survey carried out on Saturday 14 May 2011.

“We were especially delighted that a big majority of shoppers thought the wide range of fresh local produce difficult to find elsewhere was their favourite thing about the market,” she explained.

“And that was before the outcry caused by the ongoing horsemeat scandal – something that really made people sit up and think how and where their food actually comes from.”

Seasonal fruit and vegetables, meat, game, free range eggs, cakes, herbs, cheese, and crafts will be on sale from 9am to 3pm in Saltburn Square, next to the train station, Saltburn.