About Us

THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND

The definition still holds true today with 8.5% of England's horticultural holdings being located in Kent.

This produces 40% of the horticultural products consumed in the UK

KENT FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION

This is a voluntary Association initially formed to promote markets, their locations and times of operation. It is run by volunteers and is a not for profit organisation.

The Association was based on the premise that by working together we can be far stronger than the individual parts. The first and most important joint project initiated by the Association was to develop a web site showing the location of the markets, a brief description and their opening times. It quickly expanded to include the local Producers who attended these markets plus Advice and Guidance regarding starting up a market, a retail food business and Food Safety.

Our next step is to offer to potential customers and visitors to Kent information a simple to follow but comprehensive guide as to where they can find many other local food and drink producers. This time organised by type of produce rather than by market. We see this role as expanding as we take on other local produce and producers.

Our aim is to become a 'one stop shop' to find all things about local produce i.e. where to find it and how to purchase it. In all cases we do not sell any produce to the consumer but simply guide them as to where they can find local produce i.e. back to the local producers web site

However, a common problem we found with most small producers is how do we inform the general shopping public about our produce ? and 'How do they find us to buy our produce ? '. They are so busy producing that most have little time to spend on marketing and very few of them have any experience in this field.

We have been very successful in promoting Farmers Markets and their Producers so we have now expanded these principles to other local food and drink producers many of whom also suffer from this same lack of PROMOTION and, in particular, WHERE they are located and where the general public can purchase their products. We have divided these producers into food and drink sectors. To date we have added:-

FARM SHOPS These retail businesses have often grown from sales at the farm gate to retailing from unique selling locations, often in interesting old farm buildings PLUS their own LOCAL produce . These 'shops' have enabled many farmers to diversify and offer other attractions. They, plus Farmers Markets, have now become the bastions for retailing of local produce. Both have also grown in variety of produce sold and both attract 'Local Artisan Producers' .

VINEYARDS With climate change and the realisation that the geology of the south east of England is very similar to that of parts of France, Vineyards have seen major growth in Kent and Sussex over the last 15 years. Many of these businesses are now adding value to their original purpose by using their rural locations as assets in their own right and have diversified with the addition of vineyard tours, shops and food venues, aimed at locals and tourists alike.

MICRO BREWERIES The interest in local beers and different types of beers have seen a major growth in micro breweries all over the country. This growth has been especially high in Kent and Sussex stimulated with the resurgance of the hop industry. Again they are diversifying to make their locations attractive to visitors

SOFT DRINKS & CIDER

Both Kent and East Sussex are tradintional fruit growing areas. Recently. old and new apple and pear orchards are regenerating with new customers wanting new soft drink tastes. Innovations such as revival of old varieties and mixing apple with other local Kentish fruits (e.g. Raspberry) are changing the market. The same is happening with cider (i.e. the unpasteurised version of apple juice). Apple cider is becoming a key element in cooking whilst Apple Cider vinegar is also growing both as a marinade and health drink.

FARMERS MARKETS

To date there are just over 50 Market Members of our Association which run over 1200 markets every year. Over 450 Producers attend these markets plus 200 which are craft makers. The variety of their produce is amazing Click here to see the Produce and Producers retailed at Farmers Markets in Kent.. Much of the produce is not even seen at your local Supermarket.

We believe we can offer the same benefits of mutual co-operation to all Producers and Retailers of local food in Kent (and the South East) by:-