Market manager Kardien Gerbrands talks about Swindon’s farmers’ markets

I was delighted to speak with my 25-year-old niece this week who was telling me enthusiastically that she has discovered that buying fresh vegetables and meat and using raw basic ingredients and cooking your own meals is a lot cheaper than buying ready meals, pizza and other processed foods.

She even told me that proper bread from a baker’s, although a lot pricier than sliced bread, fills you up much better and actually tastes nice.

She is one of the growing number of young people, according to an article in the papers recently, who are finding that the way to a cheaper and healthier diet is to shop more sustainably.

When it comes to shopping locally, there’s a perception that local food equals expensive food, but that’s not often the case.

“The meat does cost a bit more than the stuff I usually buy. However, I’m now a massive convert – I’m not only eating better, tastier meat, I’m eating less of it (which I’m told is good for my carbon footprint) and eating lots more vegetables. Overall, I’m spending less and enjoying my meals more.”

Beyond fresh, tasty, seasonal food, shopping at farmers’ markets tends to mean you radically cut down on packaging, too. It’s a win, win!

MARKETS

  • Bradford on Avon, third Thursday, 9am to 1pm at Westbury Gardens, BA15 1DE
  • l Bradford on Avon, last Sunday, 10.30am to 2.30pm at Lamb Yard, BA15 1FG
  •  Calne, second Saturday, 9am to 1pm, near the library, SN11 0JU
  •  Corsham, third Saturday, 9am to 1pm, High Street, SN13 0HB
  •  Devizes, first Saturday, 9am to 1pm, Market Place
  •  Malmesbury, second and fourth Saturdays, 9am to 1pm, Market Cross
  •  Royal Wootton Bassett, fourth Saturday, 9am to 1pm, High Street
  •  Salisbury, weekly on Wednesdays, 9am to 2pm, Poultry Cross
  •  Swindon Farmers Market, every Sunday, 10am to 4pm, Swindon Designer Outlet, Kemble Road, SN2 2DY
  •  Havelock Square Farmers’ Market, Swindon, every Thursday from 9am until 2.30pm.
  •  Trowbridge, second and fourth Friday, 9am to 1pm, Fore Street, BA14 8HX
  •  Wanborough, third Saturday of the month, 9am to midday, Wanborough Village Hall
  •  Warminster, first and third Fridays, 9am to 1pm, Central car park, BA12 9BT