Glasgow and Paisley lead new farmers’ markets quality scheme
Established farmers’ markets in Paisley and Glasgow’s Queen’s Park are among the first to join a brand new quality assurance scheme for the markets launched by VisitScotland and Eat Scotland earlier this month during Scottish Food Fortnight.
Developed in consultation with the Scottish Association of Farmers’ Markets the new accreditation scheme underlines the importance of farmers’ markets to tourism, recognising those markets that offer excellent customer experience, and marketing them as part of the overall tourist experience.
Markets in the accreditation scheme can benefit from marketing support and access to other promotional opportunities.
Farmers markets already in the scheme include: Perth, Loch Lomond, Peebles, Haddington, Edinburgh, Stirling, Paisley, Falkirk, Ayr, Dundee, Forfar, Cupar and Queen’s Park.
“Farmers’ markets can really enhance the character of a town and offer a fabulous consumer experience due to their unique ambience,” said VisitScotland quality development manager, Colin Houston.
“Consumers are attracted to the markets by the diversity of fresh, quality food on offer, the local provenance and the lively market atmosphere. The expert knowledge and passion demonstrated by the stallholders in selling their wares, entertainment such as cooking demonstrations and traditional music all combine to produce a wonderful consumer experience and offer enormous potential from a tourism perspective.”
Farmers’ markets were established to enable local farmers and producers to sell their products direct to customers, offering a higher margin and providing extra income to farmers to supplement income from sales through conventional channels. Consumers have the opportunity to buy fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables, locally reared meat and home made products.
The accreditation scheme assesses the markets on criteria including advertising and signage, layout and facilities, variety of produce and presentation of stalls, staff, cleanliness, catering and fast food provision. Stallholders must also comply with all relevant statutory and licensing obligations.
For more information, visit: http://eatscotland.visitscotland.com/farmers-markets/
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