To market

Sutton farmers’ market

Town Square and Millennium Gardens

High Street, Sutton SM1 1DU. 9.30am–1.30pm
Fourth Saturday of every month
www.ecolocal.org.uk/markets

Every month a hoard of local farmers and producers descends on the leafy South London borough of Sutton, bearing fresh local produce, including fruit and veg from Perry Court and Bessborough Farms, free range pork, chicken, game from JA Keen in Dorking, plus eggs, cheese, jams, chutneys, bread, cakes and confectionery and much more.

The market is accredited by FARMA, the co-operative of farmers and producers selling on a local scale, and is organised by local environmental charity EcoLocal.

People visit to buy home-produced food: “It’s always excellent quality and it’s good to support local growers and producers,” says a customer buying a jar of jam. “We’re aware of global warming and we don’t like our food trekked around the world. If you have a pot of local jam you’ll taste the difference.”

They were right: the jam not only tasted delicious but ‘plum, apple and elderflower’ is a flavour combination unlikely to be found on the shelves of the local supermarket.


JA Keen & Sonʼs poultry stall

It was produced by Kush Cuisine, run by husband and wife team Ian and Sadie Jennings. Ian is a chef with over 20 years’ experience: “I originally created our range of preserves for my family and friends to enjoy,” he says. “Now we’re producing chutneys, jams and marmalades, sauces, spice rubs and marinades.”

Tony from Perry Court Farm took great pleasure in showing off his line of air-dried apple crisps, a healthy alternative to fried potato crisps: “People come to the market to buy British and for the freshness of the food,” he says pointing to his display of fruit and veg. “Those salads were picked yesterday afternoon and bagged last night – that’s almost as good as growing your own. Supermarkets want a seven-day shelf life.”

Featured stallholder
J A Keen & Son Dorking, Surrey

This is a family-run business situated on Etherley Farm at the foot of Leith Hill. It’s a National Trust tenant farm, managed within the Countryside Stewardship Scheme to preserve the natural habitat and beauty of the surrounding countryside. It specialises in producing poultry: “chickens and ducks are available all year round, whilst turkeys and geese are produced seasonally for Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving,” says Charlie Keen. “We have a small farm shop where all of our products can be bought, including free range chicken and duck eggs and a range of homemade preserves, and a campsite, perfectly situated for a relaxing weekend in the country.” The latest addition to the farm is the reinstatement of an old orchard. Young trees were planted in January 2009, with the intention of having fruit for sale in the coming years.

This is a family-run business situated on Etherley Farm at the foot of Leith Hill. It’s a National Trust tenant farm, managed within the Countryside Stewardship Scheme to preserve the natural habitat and beauty of the surrounding countryside. It specialises in producing poultry: “chickens and ducks are available all year round, whilst turkeys and geese are produced seasonally for Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving,” says Charlie Keen. “We have a small farm shop where all of our products can be bought, including free range chicken and duck eggs and a range of homemade preserves, and a campsite, perfectly situated for a relaxing weekend in the country.” The latest addition to the farm is the reinstatement of an old orchard. Young trees were planted in January 2009, with the intention of having fruit for sale in the coming years.

http://etherleyfarm.co.uk

By Michael Dees