Special date for farmers' market (From Free Press Series)

Special date for farmers' market

THE Usk Farmers' Market, which has been held regularly in the town for the past six years, are holding a special May Day market in the Twyn Square.

This event on Saturday May 1, between 10am and 2pm is to test the feasibility of incorporating the market into special days for the town such as the Victorian Day which is planned again for December where it is proposed the Square provides a focal point.

The Farmers' Market in Usk is held on the first and third Saturdays of each month at the Memorial Hall in Maryport Street, and has become well established and earned a reputation for the excellence of quality and range of the produce that is on offer.

The lobsters and crabs are prepared, the bread baked, the trout caught in the early hours of market day and the fruit and vegetables picked within hours of being sold.

This would not have been so uncommon before the industrialisation of food supplies after the second world war that closed markets that were similar in all but name that dated back many centuries.

Stephen Shearman, the market's manager sees this as more than just a revival of an old theme.

He said: "A market like this reduces the environmental impact of industrial food production and distribution, the health issues surrounding industrially prepared food, and the need to provide a realistic economic support structure for rural economies and food producers.

"But above all they put the life and soul back into food shopping especially as Usk market specialises in organic and non intensive food production."

Traditional breeds that can survive in the outdoors, slow to grow and develop flavour, the meat hung, the bacon dry cured are all features of what could be termed "craft" production.

Mr Sherman added: "Producers that operate at this level are passionate about what they do, and they need to be. It is no easy task to produce and market on this scale."

David Samson, chairman of the Usk Chamber of Trade, described the market as one of the jewels in the crown of the town.

He said: "The chamber was the inspiration behind the Victorian Day last year and is planning to build on the success with a bigger and better day this year.

"Since it is generally recognized that the town is busier on market days the Chamber and Farmers' Market are both keen to work together to make events such as these even more successful."