Queen's Park Farmers' Market

Sunday mornings at Queen’s Park Farmers’ Market are a highlight for local foodies and families, says Lydia Williams

Above: Queen's Park Farmers' Market photographed by Lydia Evans

Queen’s Park Farmers’ Market started in September 2005, as part of the London Farmer’s Market group which organises 15 regular markets across the capital. Open every Sunday morning at Salusbury Primary School playground, all the produce on sale is grown, reared, raised, baked, caught or produced by the seller, meaning there is no middleman. All 30 producers live within 100 miles of the M25, thus keeping the ‘food miles’ down.

‘You can buy local honey produced by Ann Kinsey who is based just down the road in Harrow, her bees have probably gathered nectar from gardens in Queen’s Park!’ explains Mark Handley of London Farmers’ Market. Visitors to the market can browse the stalls and whilst they’re there, ask the farmer or producer about how the produce was grown or even for the best recipe. Farmers welcome feedback on produce that customers would like to buy and can adapt their planting to meet demand.

‘I’m planting more tomatoes this summer, my customers are already asking me when they’ll be ready, they were such a hit last year,’ says Mr. Emmett one of the stall holders.

This one-to-one contact with their customers not only encourages sustainable farming but promotes local and seasonal produce too. ‘You won’t find olives, or oranges at our markets as they cannot be grown by local farmers, but in season you will find the best tasting foods, look out for those with a short season like the up-coming asparagus crop,’ advises Mark.

Cheryl Cohen, also of London Farmers’ Market adds: ‘That’s what it’s all about, being on first-name terms with the person who grows your Sunday lunch!’

Queen’s Park Farmers’ Market; every Sunday, 10am–2pm Salusbury Road Primary School playground, Salusbury Road, NW6 6RG