Cullompton Farmers’ Market is held in Station Road car park, Cullompton, on the second Saturday in each month, 9.30am to 12.30pm.

The next Farmers’ Market will be held on Saturday June 8, 2013.

Cullompton Farmers’ Market – A Remarkable Success

Monthly farmers’ markets have been held in Cullompton since 10 June 1998 and each of them has been equally well attended and as successful as the first.
Local people regularly attend the market as they know they can purchase fresh, quality food. The number of stalls has been increased over the years and new items have been added to the already wide range of produce. The markets have a unique atmosphere helped by events such as music provided by local musicians and children’s activities in the children’s corner.

Refreshments are available, provided by vounteers for the benefit of the market. People are often seen chatting to neighbours who they would normally rush past in a supermarket. The farmers market was originated by the community and certainly has a community feel.

A farmers’ market is where local produce is sold to local people. All of the stall holders at the market have travelled less than 30 miles and are selling produce they grew, reared or created themselves. Cullompton Farmers Market was the first farmers market to be started in the South West. It is also the only one in the country to be set up by volunteers and not a local authority.

Benefits

Farmers’ markets have the following benefits:

Farmers

• are able to talk to end consumers and find out the type and quality of produce they prefer.
• have another direct outlet with no middle man.
• are able to publicise their produce and farms by reaching people who normally would not have heard of them.

Consumers

• are able to purchase very fresh food brought directly from the farm.
• are able to meet the people producing the food.
• experience a day out and a new, more relaxed shopping environment.

Cullompton

• Cullompton’s image will benefit from being associated with this high quality, high profile project.
• More people will be attracted to the town of Cullompton.

Environment

• Food will not travel long distances to depots and supermarkets.
• Packaging will be minimal as food will not need to keep for long periods.

The success of the project depends very much upon the support of farmers, consumers and local organisations. If you
are interested in the farmers’ markets, please contact us.

History

The idea of setting up a farmers’ market in Cullompton was that of Tracy Frankpitt of Peverstone Cheese. “We wanted to sell our award winning cheese
at the first farmers’ market in Bath but they said we were too far away. The Cullompton Regeneration Group was looking for something that would bring more people into the town and I suggested we started our own farmers’ market.”

Farming is very hard at the moment and many farmers are diversifying in order to survive. The farmers taking part in the market have learned marketing and retail skills and also had contact with the end users of their produce. Some had never sold direct before but are now planning box schemes and farm shops. The organisers of Cullompton farmers market have been helping other Farmers Markets start up.

Other farmers markets include Okehampton, Honiton, Crediton, Holsworthy, Plymouth, Totnes and Exeter. Tracy Frankpitt said, “We are working together to make sure that all Farmers’ Markets across Devon are a success both for the farmers and local people”. Cullompton farmers’ market is held in Station Road car park on the second Saturday in each month, 9.30am to 12.30pm. For more information please contact us or see our calendar page.