Glorious Food Finds While on Holiday

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With over 600 farmers’ markets throughout the country, plus food festivals and special food events held in places like National Trust properties, you may well be spoiled for choice. Before leaving home, do a little research to discover where and when the farmers’ markets are held and whether or not the area in which you’ll be holidaying is putting on their annual food festival. You’ll often be rewarded with the freshest locally grown food which is far more interesting than what you can get from yet another branch of the same supermarket you use every week.

The definition of a farmer’s market, according to FARMA (the National Farmers’ Retail & Market Assoc.) is one where “the famers, growers, or producers from a defined local area are present in person to sell their own produce direct to the public.”

Farmers’ markets happen all over the world and it is a wonderful way to meet the people who produce the fruit and vegetables, meat, bread, seafood, smoked meat or fish, pickles and jam, cheeses, wines, beers, etc., etc. These people are also a great source of information on how the food was produced, how to cook it, maybe even how to eat it. In short farmers’ markets and food festivals for that matter, are community affairs that people have used for centuries to not only sell their wares but to come together to socialise and have fun. The atmosphere and quality of some markets can rival that of many in the foreign countries Britons visit each year.

By using farmers’ markets we can help to keep local food traditions alive, people employed in the local areas and reduce “food miles”. They are also a great showcase for some of the best “artisan” foods available. Small producers often haven’t the capacity to supply large supermarkets but will make enough of some wonderful cheese or stone ground, seeded bread or will sell their surplus of those “funny shaped” carrots that remind you how vegetables used to taste.

Many of the markets and food festivals, and food events at National Trust properties, have tastings of various foods and drinks as well as chefs (sometimes celebrities) demonstrating how to cook with items they found amongst the best available in the market. Even if there aren’t cooking demonstrations, stall holders will often be happy to discuss how you might prepare whatever it is you’re buying. This happened when I was visiting the Pembrokeshire Farmers’ Market in Haverfordwest, West Wales a couple of years ago. I stopped at Cig Lodor Meats and spoke to Benni Thomas, the owner and the man who had produced the pork tenderloin I bought. He suggested several ways in which I might cook the tenderloin. I followed one of his suggestions and was rewarded with some of the best pork I’ve ever eaten.

Look on the National Trust website for dates and events that might just coincide with your holiday in a specific area. You can even keep the kids happy and teach them something about the foods we eat by going to Penrhyn Castle in Gwyndd. In June and July you’ll find events like sugar craft demonstrations and ‘Herbs in the Victorian Household’. On the 1st of August, Rhossili Visitors Centre in Swansea will host the Gower Show where you’ll find “a range of displays and activities for all ages dealing with food, animals and eating”. This summer there’s even a ‘Mad Hatters Tea Party’ at Erddig in Wrexham and a Beer and Banquet Evening in Bodnant Garden, Conwy. Be sure to check out the website for events held in other places around the country.
‘Google’ farmers’ markets in a specific area and you’ll find, for example, Stroud farmers' market in Gloucestershire - Cornhill Market Place, is held on the first and third Saturday of each month and Robert Rees of the Country Elephant can often be seen making tempting meals using produce from the market. The Cardiff Riverside farmers' market, Fitzhamon Embankment (near the Millennium Stadium) is held every Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm. Amongst the 25+ stalls you’ll find fruit, vegetables, baked goods, meat, fish, even malt whisky. Be sure to sample the jam made from chilies, the honey from Cardigan Bay, the goat sausages, the Sugarloaf vineyard wines and some wonderful, award-winning cheeses.

Whether you’re at home or on holiday, whenever you get the chance, look for the special food events and regular food markets from which you can buy food that has been grown in sustainable ways, food that has real flavour, from people with a real passion for what they produce.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Written by Monika Nolte (RHWHSEO) for Holiday Paradise Large selection of Travel Tips including Food & Wine Festivals of the UK on Holiday Paradise Travel Tips Blog

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