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21 Aug 2018
'The demand for regional, high welfare and seasonal foods keeps growing'
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall have visited Swiss Cottage Farmers’ Market to celebrate the 20th anniversary of London Farmers’ Market.
To mark the occasion, over 30 farmers and producers attended from across the 22 markets run by London Farmers Markets.
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall met farmers and producers, some of whom have been selling with London Farmers Markets since 1999.
They were met by Sir Ian Johnstone CBE, QPM, DL the Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Camden and Cheryl Cohen, London Farmers Markets.
They were entertained by a ‘flash mob’ of students from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, directed by Professor Paul Barker Professor of Music Theatre and a band from Camden based Young Music Makers.
His Royal Highness met Isadora Popovic from bakers Popina; Isadora started up her business with help from The Princes Trust 20 years ago.
TRH also met Jessie and Felix Padfield from Bath Soft Cheese. Her Royal Highness was eager to introduce The Prince of Wales to Bath Soft, having visited their farm last week.
Her Royal Highness tried products including caviar from Exmouth Caviar and was presented with a bunch of flowers from John Cullen Gardens.
Swiss Cottage Farmers’ Market opened in 1999, at a time when there were no other farmers markets in the city. London Farmers Markets now have 22 weekly markets in London with around 250 farmers and local producers selling across the markets.
Today, the market offers a wide variety of local produce; Farmer Mike Belcher sells a range of free range pork, beef and lamb from their farm in Leicestershire.
Dr Adrian Izzard from Cambridgeshire based Wild Country Organics sell nearly all their produce through farmers markets using unheated greenhouses to produce crops 52 weeks of the year.
Perry Court Farm in Kent bring heritage apples, including many varieties not seen in supermarkets.
Rob Copley, Chair of the Farm Retail Association, the national body which represents farm shops across the country, said: “London Farmers Markets are thriving, and in their 20th year offer a fantastic example of how ethical and sustainable shopping is a huge priority for their customers.
"The ethical consumer not only supports farmers, they save money on basic goods as well as helping the environment – a win win!
"This visit from their Royal Highnesses is a wonderful recognition of the hard work and commitment shown by the market organisers and their stallholders”
Cheryl Cohen from London Farmers Markets said: ‘‘The demand for regional, high welfare, and seasonal foods keeps growing and we’re proud to be recognised by their Royal Highnesses for our work supporting farmers and creating weekly farmers markets for Londoners that are open rain or shine.
"We welcome applications from small and medium sized farms who would like to sell direct with us.’’
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