Farmers' market success in Helston

1:55pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

The Boating Lake in Helston was bustling and alive with the sights, sounds and tastes of good food with the first Farmer's Market Helston has seen in a long while.

Throngs of Helstonions and visitors enjoyed a warm welcome from local producers who were on hand to supply some of the best regional produce that Cornwall has to offer; and almost all of the produce has come from within the Helston area.

'It was a terrific day and one that far exceeded everyone's expectations,' says Joanne Schofield, Market Controller. 'The producers did not know how much to bring, being the first one, and many ran out within the first hour. Some producers were able to bring in more stock while others brought what they had prepared or picked earlier in the day. No one could have estimated the fantastic response of local people for local food.'' The combined efforts of members of the community and South Kerrier Alliance have helped to make this event a resounding success.

The atmosphere was relaxed and local groups like Headra and Ron Smith played toe tapping music to counteract the lack of sunshine. A talented and relatively unknown chef, Neil Woodward, from the organic Greenhouse Restaurant in St. Keverne, prepared a fabulous Hunters Chicken and mushroom risotto for an enthusiastic crowd which included the visiting Italian contingency from Sasso Marconi. Free samples were given and as a result, sales for the Food From Friends antipasti recipe book, produced by the Helston Twinning Association, soared within minutes. The full version of this cookery book will be available in the autumn.

The new Ditch the Plastic and Make Helston Fantastic' bags recently launched in Helston did a roaring trade and helped to encourage people to use less plastic when they go shopping.

From fresh fish and cooked whole crabs, to organic bread, bacon, sausages, asparagus, new potatoes, preserves, dressings, poultry, fresh farm eggs, honey, apple juice, baked goods and other delectables, this market is set to become a real feature in Helston. The added bonus of having the Lakeside Restaurant meant that people could sit and relax and breathe in the flavours of the market.

'It seems that many people would like to have a more regular market and we hope that this may prove to be the case. Holding it once a month until September is a way of testing the waters and finding out what people want,'' says Joanne. ' If anyone has suggestions or comments, or may be interested in having a stall or volunteering to help out, just give me a call to find out more.'' There is also one free stall available at each market for a community organisation to use. Call Joanne Schofield for details.

Shopping for food need not be a bore or a chore when there is a farmer's market in town. The next market will be held on Saturday June 7 from 10 until 2 and the first Saturday of every month through September. Call Joanne Schofield on 01326 231146.