FARMERS’ MARKETS have been given a major boost by the SNP Government, which has moved to encompass them within its Food and Drink policy, which is increasingly being ranked higher on the political agenda for Scotland, benefitting from a £250k cash injection.

Announcing a strategy which will see the government work alongside and assist the newly created Scottish Farmers’ Market Partnership, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead praised farmers’ markets for being the vanguard of bringing local produce to local people.

Addressing the first SFMP meeting at the Rural Centre, at Ingliston, this week, Mr Lochhead identified the key role farmers’ markets play in Scottish tourism and in small town regeneration “The popularity of farmers’ markets has grown rapidly in recent years, in tandem with more Scots taking an interest in where their food comes from and a desire to buy local produce. They are an integral part of our work to boost Scotland’s reputation as a land of food and drink.”

Taking a £120,000 slice of Food and Drink funding over the next three years, the new partnership will promote, support and build capacity for farmers’ markets in Scotland.

“This group has the potential to help farmers’ markets strengthen their position among Scottish consumers, and, together with the launch of the ‘Eat Fresh, Eat Seasonal’ campaign, increase awareness of the many benefits of buying local,” added Mr Lochhead.

Speaking at the meeting, Douglas Watson, SFMP development officer, explained that the partnership will endeavour to increase access to Farmers’ Markets throughout Scotland to both consumers and also to new and prospective sellers by dispelling the myth that markets maintain a ‘closed-door’ policy.

He said that whilst farmers and producers may have experienced unavailability of seller stalls at their local markets due to constraints such as market size, and the need to keep a good balance of the produce offered, the partnership would encourage member markets to keep back a number of guest stalls each week, or offer availability at alternative markets.

He also said the partnership would investigate the possibility of mid-week sales, indoor venues, new non-traditional locations for markets and the prospect of new start-up markets. However, he stressed that at the heart of every decision reached by the SFMP would be producer profitability.

Mr Watson said: “The project will comprise three core strands of activity – strategic development work; marketing and promotion; and communication, information and advice. The intention is to provide as much practical support as possible where resources allow, building on the positive, collaborative, and co-operative working practices that have been developed since the first farmers’ market in Scotland was held in Perth in 1999.”

Commenting on the formation of the partnership, NFU Scotland chief executive James Withers said: “The creation and development of Farmers’ Markets has been one of the most important initiatives in the industry for many years in terms of connecting consumers with where their food comes from. While their market share may be comparitively small, their influence in Scottish communities has been shown to be hugely significant.

“There were questions from some as to how the Government’s National Food and Drink Policy would translate into action on the ground, but it has to be said that the Scottish Farmers’ Markets Partnership initiative is one of the best examples. I believe it will provide the platform that farmers need to strengthen their network across the country.”

Founder chairman of the Scottish Association of Farmer’s Markets and MSP, John Scott said: “This is another very welcome step in the development of Farmer’s Markets which have again become a feature of rural and urban life in Scotland.

“With over 80 Farmer’s Markets operating across Scotland, the platform is now in place to take Farmer’s Markets on to the next step which should be covered town centre markets, supplied and supported by local farmers,” he suggested.