Northenden Farmers' Market Success Hailed in Government Report on Food

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 10th Jul 2008

Cllr Martin Eakins & Campaigner Mary Di Mauro Support Northenden's Farmers' Market

The government has hailed the Farmers' Market in Northenden as a success story in a recent report on food. The Farmers' Market, held every month since October 2007, offers a wide range of food produce in the very heart of Northenden's shopping district. Local Lib Dems Mary Di Mauro and Councillor Martin Eakins are delighted by the recognition received from the government.

It attracted the support of over a thousand local signatures to beat off rivals Didsbury and Chorlton, and retained its slot after a successful six month pilot. Local community activists and Councillors pulled together twice to drum up public support; at first to bring the Market to Northenden, and again to keep it after its initial trial. It has quickly established itself as a regional success, with punters from across the North West visiting every month.

Cllr Eakins said:

"We're thrilled that Northenden's Market is being hailed as a test case of how to provide quality food for the community. We're especially grateful to the City Council officers at Manchester Markets who demonstrated both excellence and typical Manchester hard graft to make this market the success it is today."

"Local residents fell in love with the market when it opened, and have enthusiastically supported it ever since. It is due to their dedicated support every month that the Market has survived and thrived."

Local Campaigner Mary Di Mauro added:

"It is perfect for Northenden, as we suffer from a lack of food outlets, without a single Butchers or Fishmongers in the area. Having the Market here ensures that residents have the chance to buy high quality meat and fish in their neighbourhood."

The trial of the second monthly slot will soon reach its end, and the City Council is actively considering a request by local residents and market traders to make some changes.

"Having a food market twice a month can dilute the trade for both dates, and both residents and the traders themselves have suggested a craft market to replace the second food market slot. Having a wider variety of goods on sale will further bolster Northenden as an attractive shopping destination," Cllr Eakins added.

End...

The Government report is the result of a ten-month project looking at food policy across Government.

It is published by the Cabinet Office as "Food Matters - Towards a Strategy for the 21st Century"

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk