Keeping it Truly Local in Budleigh Salterton

The small town of Budleigh Salterton on the coast in southwest England has a growing farmers market that insists on keeping itself truly local. Malcolm Florey, leader of the market project, explained the rules in a story in the North Devon Gazette about the upcoming season opening:

“All traders have to meet the strict criteria as produced by the project working group and agreed by the Chamber of Commerce. In particular the produce and products sold must be grown, reared, caught, or manufactured by the stallholder within the defined local area. In addition the principal producer, or someone directly involved in the production process, must attend each market and be on the stall.”

There's no shortage of local producers who can meet those “strict criteria” and are vying for spaces at the market. Florey had initially hoped to have a dozen producers lined up for the March 28 opening. He has signed up 15, and placed still others on a waiting list. Vendors at the monthly market, held on the last Friday of each month, will offer Red Devon beef, local pork, lamb, free range chicken, trout, venison, cheese, breads, cakes, pies and preserves, vegetables and plants, honey products and other items.