Severn Farmers' Markets dates

Farmers' Market dates

May - June 2007

Berkeley Farmers' Market, no dates planned

Downend Farmers' Market, Christchurch Hall, North Street, 4th Friday 8.45-1 (sometimes 3rd Friday)

May 25th

June 22nd

Dursley Farmers' Market, Dursley Town Hall, 2nd Saturday 9-1

May 12th

June 23rd

Emersons' Green Farmers' Market, Emersons' Green Village Hall, 1st Thursday 12.30-4.30 no dates planned

Yate Farmers' Market, Yate Shopping Centre, 1st Saturday & 3rd Wednesday 9-1.30

May 5th & 16th

June 2nd & 20th

Tips for Farmers' Market shopping in May & June

Summer is nearly here, the salad season is upon us, so this is a chance to enjoy tasty local vegetables and fruit as they become available.

Fruit and vegetables increase in variety and quantity, broad beans, new potatoes and salad crops grown under protection making their appearance. Strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries and currents all become available. Summer pudding and fruit fool are easy ways of enjoying these fruits.

Meat is very good quality at present. Beef is readily available, so is new season Lamb and pork. Cold meals are very welcome so try pork pies, hot water crust is really easy pastry, fill the pie with shoulder or belly pork and boil the bones and skin to extract as much gelatine as possible for the jelly. Cornish pasties made with beef skirt, a tasty lean cut are delicious hot or cold and meat loaf or pate are both delicious. Poultry is delicious, remember that the farm reared birds grow more slowly, so they have more taste and need slightly slower cooking.

Eggs are plentiful, ducks are still laying well, but geese will soon finish laying and start moulting. This is the time to make flans/quiches, line a flan ring with shortcrust pastry, gently fry some ingredients, onions, bacon, celery, beat eggs, add milk and cream and pour in the pastry with the other ingredients, grate cheese, sprinkle on top with sliced tomatoes and cook at 1800C until set and slightly brown.

Plant growers the risk of frost is nearly over so young plants and shrubs are ready for planting out.

Cooked produce, cakes, savouries and preserves help to save time; new season soft fruit jams start to appear.