Key benefits of farmers markets identified in the report are:

• they can offer a lifeline to small farmers - by cutting out the 'middleman' farmers can get better prices
• farmers markets and other local food schemes mean more money being spent in the local economy
• they are popular with consumers who get fresh, healthy produce, usually at competitive prices.
• food travels less and has less packaging, so there are environmental benefits.
  
  Good for the Economy
• In the US annual sales from farmers markets are over $1 billion, in the UK annual turnover is already £65 million.
• In Winchester, Hampshire, all local stores reported major increases in takings while the farmers markets were on.
• A Canadian study of farmer's markets found that $487 million sales at Farmers'markets in Ontario, generated $1500 billion in spin off activity
  
  Good for Farmers
• Research in Winchester, Hampshire showed that farmers markets generated total sales for farmers of between £70,000 and £85,000 over just three days. The average taking was £500 per farmer.
• A study in the US found that one third of 20,000 farmers surveyed obtained all their income from farmers markets. This also applies to a growing number of farmers in the UK.

Friends of the Earth recently welcomed the Government's backing for farmers markets in the new Rural Enterprise Scheme - which will target EU funding to rural development

measures. But FOE stresses that Regional Development Agencies and local authorities must take more positive action to support the growth of farmers markets in this country if they are ever to fulfil their potential.

The report calls on

• Government to follow its positive statements about farmers markets with further action including start up grants for markets in poorer areas.
• Regional Development Agencies to recognise the benefits of a strong local food economy in their regeneration strategies, and to establish regional networks of farmers markets and give them financial support in the early stages.
• Local Authorities to support farmers markets by being more positive about planning applications for new markets, liaising with existing traders and helping with publicity and promotion.

Simon Bullock of Friends of the Earth, author of the report, commented:

“Farmers markets are good for farmers, consumers and the environment. They have the potential to boost the rural economy and can offer a lifeline to farmers who are fed up with the exacting demands of supermarkets and the poor return for their produce.

The Government has made lots of positive statements about farmers markets which we want to see backed up with action. We hope that this report will also convince local authorities and the Regional Development Agencies of the multiple benefits of farmers markets so that they will all do more to support them”

Lindy Gercken of Brimstage Ice Cream, who farms on the Wirral, said:

"Farmers' Markets are a brilliant way of getting people to talk to those who produce the food they eat and to learn about the methods and environment in which it's grown or reared. One young boy was amazed at one of the markets to see carrots with their green tops on! That's what Farmers' Markets are all about."

NOTES TO EDITORS

Three summary reports, setting out FOE's recommendations to Government, local authorities and RDAs are available on request. A copy of the full report is also available on

www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/food_and_biotechnology/pdf/farmers_markets.pdf

To view PDF files you will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Visually impaired users can get extra help with these documents from access.adobe.com.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust