Light bites: New Brighton Farmers Market hailed “a roaring success”

The first Brighton Farmers Market, held on the newly designated Memorial Way on Old Steine, Brighton, was hailed a huge success by organisers and stallholders.

This new monthly addition to the Brighton food calendar – running every third Saturday of the month – is the result of two years of work between the Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival team, councillor Geoffrey Bowden and council officers, to bring affordable local produce into the heart of the city in an accessible location.

Twenty local growers and producers attended the first event, with many completely selling out by mid-afternoon. Fresh fruit and vegetables were supplied by Laines Organic and Barcombe Nurseries, whilst favourites including Barties, Cloud 9 and JP Turner sold a host of other locally produced food.

Councillor Bowden commented: “The Farmers Market was doing a roaring trade this afternoon, and the next will be even bigger and better.”

Festival director, Nick Mosley, added: “This is the first of a regular monthly market that works for consumers, small local food growers and businesses, and the whole city centre experience. We’re overwhelmed by the success of this first market and are excited by the future.”

The market has space for an additional 15 pitches and local growers and producers are invited to submit their interest to attend via the food festival website. Organisers are particularly keen to welcome local fresh meat suppliers.
The next Brighton Farmers Market will be Saturday 18 May from 10am–4pm and will feature a children’s planting activity hosted by Rockinghorse and the festival team. For further information visit www.brightonfoodfestival.com