Len Mullins from Pembrokeshire County Council writes:

Judges ruled that the farmers' market represents an "excellent working partnership between the local authority - Pembrokeshire County Council - the town centre management and the landlords of the site of the market, Riverside Shopping Centre."

The market was established in 1999 and was the first farmers' market in Wales to be certified under the FARMA (then NAFM) scheme. It was a runner-up in the same competition last year.

"Three-quarters of stall-holders are primary producers and there is a deliberate policy to encourage primary producers to add value and diversify," said Kate Morgan, market manager and Economic Development Officer with the County Council.

"They also collaborate with one another which adds to the richness of the market from the customer's viewpoint - they can sample the jam on bread from the bread stall at the jam producer's stall and the butter producer will use bread from the market for sampling his product."

"We see our role in the community as vital, encouraging visits from schools, for example," she said. "The farmers' market is also an excellent medium for promoting bio-diversity, composting and recycling to the public alongside messages about the benefits of buying local produce." The FARMA award is the only one of its kind, assessed by farm retailers and farmers' market manager peers on the basis of overall market performance, sustainability and impact on community, farming and the public.

"We are thrilled and delighted to have won, especially as we came so close last year," added Kate.

The Farmers Market is held on alternate Fridays 9am - 3pm at Riverside Shopping. "It's a feather in the cap for everyone working to make the Haverfordwest farmers' market happen, including the producers who make the market such a great showcase for local food and farming."

The Farmers Market is held on alternate Fridays 9am - 3pm at Riverside Shopping. Dates for 2007 are -

5 and 19 January
2 and 16 February
2, 16 and 30 March
13 and 27 April
11 and 25 May
8 and 22 June
6 and 20 July
3, 17 and 31 August
14 and 28 September
12 and 26 October
9 and 23 November
7, 14 and 21 December

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