Fife’s popular click and collect farmer’s market,Falkland NeighbourFood, has injected nearly £12,000 into the local economy since launching last June at the Centre for Stewardship.
Market hosts Falkland Estate have helped local food and drink producers sell over 400 baskets of produce over the past 6 months at their weekly Thursday collection.
One of the latest producers to join the local food platform is Grower’s Garden, who produce broccoli crisps using wonky veg from their farms in Cupar, Angus, Perthshire and the Scottish Borders.
Nicole Spittle of the Grower’s Garden said: “In an effort to reduce food waste and farm more sustainably we use wonky broccoli, as well as oversized and undersized produce that’s otherwise unsuitable for retailers, to make our crisps. NeighbourFood has been a fantastic way for us to promote our product to local people, alongside other great products from local producers. It was really easy to start selling through the platform and all the team are really friendly. We’d really encourage other local producers to come and join us!”
A total of 20 producers now sell through Falkland’s weekly market; from Pittenweem Preserves and Falkland Kitchen Farm, to Woodmill Game and Home Bakery.
Lesley Duffy, who helps run Falkland NeighbourFood, said: “Some of our bestsellers are fruit and veg, beef and game – all of which come from within eight miles of our market. Our customers love the convenience of being able to browse local produce from the comfort of their home and pick up all their shopping in one place; we’re helping them reduce their food miles, as well as their travel time, which is great for them and the environment.”
Shopping at NeighbourFood is a great way to discover unique, seasonal products from local makers and growers that you won’t find in a supermarket, according to Hazel York from Springfield, near Cupar. She has been a regular at the market since it launched last summer.
She said: “I’ve used the market for some time now as it’s important to me that I buy as local as possible and support the local community. I usually place my order on a Saturday morning when I can leisurely look through the products available and select what I’d like to try the following week. I’ve never been disappointed in any of the produce from fresh vegetables and eggs, to jars of chutney and mustard.”
She added: “I’d recommend you give NeighbourFood a try and place a wee order. The price might be a bit more than in a supermarket, but the goods are much tastier, and it supports our local economy.”
For further information on shopping or selling through Falkland NeighbourFood, visit: https://www.neighbourfood.co.uk/markets/falkland/31
Socially distanced market collections are from the Horse Stalls at the Centre for Stewardship, Falkland every Thursday 4-6pm.
