Farmer’s Market – no longer running

Just to be sure that people are aware, the market outside County Hall is not running any more. We are considering alternatives and will let people know if / when / where it restarts.

Market In The Mall

Maidstone’s Farmers’ Market is moving to The Mall for the summer. After three years of trading outside County Hall, the market is having a change of scene for the summer and has been kindly offered a place in The Mall in Maidstone. The Market will be there on 26th June, 24th July and 28th August.

The Market will be on the lower floor by Rooks.

Market takes a break and calls for ideas

Press release: Market takes a break and calls for ideas
From: Sustainable Maidstone / County Town Farmers Market
Contact: Derek Eagle 07956344722

The organisers of Maidstone’s Farmers’ Market are calling for ideas from the public about how the market could improve. The market is taking a break during the summer while organisers find out from the public how they would like to see the market develop. They are keen to know if the market is in the right place, runs on the right days and sells the right produce for Maidstone residents. Organisers have asked that suggestions be emailed to stuartj@fastmail.co.uk During the summer, the market stalls are hoping to trade in The Mall.

Derek Eagle, the market’s manager: “With three years under our belt we thought it was time to take a short break and to take stock. We want to know from people who don’t normally come to the market what would make it attractive for you and what would you like to see at the market.

“Farmers’ markets play a key role in local economies while helping bring local produce to people. We want to build on the sucess of the last three years and make the next three even better, but we need the help of Maidstone residents to do this. If you have thoughts on how to make the market even better please let us know.”

Jan Prior, Blackthorn Trust and regular stall holder at the market: “We have been very impressed by the way that the market is able to bring a great range of produce to the centre of Maidstone and by the supportive customers. The market needs to take the next step and needs fresh ideas to make it even better.”

Notes

• The County Town Farmers’ Market has run outside County Hall in Maidstone for the past three years.
• Market manager, Derek Eagle has built up a thriving Farmers’ Market and is a founder member of Kent Farmers’ Market Association.
• The market is backed by Sustainable Maidstone www.sustainablemaidstone.org.uk

–
Stuart Jeffery
07970 436029
http://www.stuartjeffery.net

Radio Kent

Derek, our chairman and organiser of the Farmers Market, was on Radio Kent today promoting both Sus Maid and the market.

Do you want to use the space around you ‘better’?

How do you use the resources available (soil, water, sunlight, materials, knowledge, labour) to increase productivity, variety and sustainablity over the long term?

How can you reduce waste, re-use materials and byproducts and recycle those resources to best effect?

Agroforestry and permaculture can be practised by anyone, anywhere.  They use every resource with thought and sensitivity.  These ways of designing growing spaces can be used at every scale, from window-boxes to substantial acreages.  The techniques are simple and based on commonsense good design – but are reinforced by international research and observation of systems across the world.

Visit this great new site by Sustainable Maidstone member, Helen Wharmby:

Agroforestry and Permaculture in Kent

Biodiversity

Barry Gardiner MP, shortened piece on biodiversity (BBC Green Room)

For the past 16 months I have put off upgrading my mobile phone because two years ago a little girl was stung by a jellyfish on a beach in south-west England.

Let me elaborate: it is demand for the latest mobile phones that has made the metal coltan so valuable, leading to conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

That conflict has caused deforestation, which has seen a decline in the number of forest mammals.

As a result, more people demand more fish as an alternative protein, leading to overfishing of species higher up the food chain.

Fishermen, in turn, have shifted their focus to species further down the food chain, reducing their population. This has allowed jellyfish become the lower reaches of the food chain.

Web of life

Every form of life on this planet stands not on its own but is supported by, and supports, other living things.

Lose one species and you lose a vital part of some ecosystem.

That means you lose not just a plant or an insect but a service: you lose the medicine that comes from that plant; you lose the pollination of crops which that insect provides.

As species die, so biodiversity is depleted and with it the ecosystem services that such biodiversity provides.

Agenda for May meeting

Draft agenda for next Tuesday’s (5th May) meeting.

Venue: New Literacy, 10 Marsham St. Time: 8pm

1. Apologies
2. Minutes / matters arising
3. Local food shop / Seasons lottery bid
4. Farmers market
5. Food and energy
6. Skills exchange
7. Community land share
8. AOB, date of next meeting

Farmers’ Market Photos

New Vegetarian Cafe

Maidstone has a new vegetarian cafe and its first one in the town centre. Fortify Cafe is run by James and opened on Monday. It can be found on the High St, just down from Argos.

Avoiding meat, or at least reducing the amount of meat that we consume is one of the best changes that individuals can make to lower their carbon foot print and to improve their health.

James is a great chef too, the food is superb!

Lottery bid

Sadly we didn’t get our lottery bid to open our local food shop and cafe. We did get into the shortlist of 40 bids for 20 grants but that is still a 50:50 chance. We have our next meeting in a few weeks and need to decide our next steps for the shop. If you have any ideas on where to et some cash from or how we can start small and work up, come along or drop us a line.