Farmer's Market of the Month

The Countryside Magazine team have decided that they love Wednesdays. Outdoor Editor Jo thinks its because the joy of a new weekend is on the horizon and she’s just about recovered from the last one. I was born on a Wednesday but am not, as the popular nursery rhyme suggests, full of woe. Adam Stone, staff-writer, says its because he’s a fan of any day with a silent D, but as he’s leaving the magazine on Friday to head off for pastures new we’re humouring him.

No, there’s a reason I’m not full of woe on a Wednesday. It’s Bristol Farm Market day. Every week I head out to stretch my legs and aim only to buy a cup of soup from the soup man and every week I come back groaning with produce.
Today’s goodies include soft fruits (strawberries, blackberries and raspberries), peas-in-the-pod and corn-on-the-cobs, forest mushrooms and a pack of pigeon breast. Oh, and a cup of soup – pea and mint today, yum!.

The only downer was that my favourite stall – Day’s Cottage apple juice and cider – weren’t there as they’re on well-earned hols. (You can read more about them as they’re one of our Local Food Heroes 2008, crowned in the next issue of Countryfile Magazine on sale next Tuesday.)

I can’t help it. Perhaps it’s an addiction, but I can’t walk through the place without getting sucked into the stalls. I suppose there are worse things to be addicted to.

What about you? Are you a farmers’ market addict? If so, why not nominate your favourite market for our Farmers’ Market of the Month. Every issue, we feature a reader’s recommendation for a market along with a photo of themselves by their favourite stall or the going-ons at the market. It’s a great way to give your local producers some welcome publicity.

Why not send in your own nomination, along with a photo to editor@bbccountryfile.com or post it to: Farmers’ Market of the Month, Countryfile Magazine, 9th Floor, Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol, BS1 3BN.