Market manager Kardien Gerbrands talks about Swindon farmers' markets

I ALWAYS like to have a look at what the foodie media has to say about “emerging food trends” and it seems that the emerging trend for 2017 is Flexitarianism.

We all know that eating less meat is good for the planet and good for our health, and it seems more and more of us are consciously making an effort to cut down on our meat consumption.

As a flexitarian, you would, for example, only eat meat on weekends or only for your evening meal or on certain nights of the week (as promoted in the McCartneys’ “Meat Free Mondays” campaign.

“Meat Free Monday is the most brilliant excuse to focus on the incredible variety of veggies out there – the flavours, textures and wonderful dishes you can create are beyond belief. So here’s to Meat Free Monday and frankly, meat free Wednesdays too,” Jamie Oliver has said.

Studies have shown that cutting down on meat has a number of health benefits including reduced risk of diabetes, cancer and heart disease, and flexitarianism gives people a way to improve their health without going the whole hog (sic) and giving up on their favourite foods.

Now it makes sense that if you are eating less meat, then you would want to buy the best; free range, well treated, healthy animals. That’s what you’ll find at the farmers’ markets around the county and at the Outlet this Sunday with Hinton Marsh farm providing the full range of beef, pork and lamb cuts to take home plus a whole hog roast and burgers and hot dogs from the bbq.

Markets

  • Bradford on Avon, third Thursday, 9am to 1pm at Westbury Gardens, BA15 1DE.
  •  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 l 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 Drive, SN2 2DY.
  •   Trowbridge, second and fourth Friday, 9am to 1pm, Fore Street, BA14 8HX.
  •  Wanborough, third Saturday, 9am to midday, Wanborough Village Hall.
  •  Warminster, first and third Fridays, 9am to 1pm, central car park, BA 12 9BT