03 May 2008

The move against global industrial food is spurring interest in farmers' markets.

The New Zealand Farmers' Market Association held its second national conference last weekend in Blenheim.

Virtually unknown seven years ago, farmers' markets are now a popular part of the retail scene.

Forty markets now supply fruit, vegetables, preserves and baking to a growing number of buyers.

In Nelson, women make up most of the steady stream of customers that threads through the weekly farmers' market.

Claire Logan has been going to the market since it opened in 2005 to buy produce that is naturally grown.

Helen Black wants to buy food that has not been transported around the country, while Melanie Walker enjoys talking to growers and knowing the food she buys "has not had a birthday".

Nelson farmers' market organiser Bruce McConnell said the number of customers at the Friday afternoon market had risen 20 per cent over last year.

"It's a mix of people seeking cheaper prices, supporting local producers and wanting trusted food," he said.

Association chairman Chris Fortune said the phenomenon was global.

"People today want to know where their food is coming from. They want to be able to trust what they eat, talk to the growers and enjoy the social interaction and vibrancy of the market," Fortune said.

"People who go to a farmers' market get the real deal."

Massey University small-business and entrepreneurship senior lecturer Dr Alan Cameron said: "There is more concern now about food security. People feel they can not rely on imported food all the time."

Fewer people had vegetable gardens and fruit trees, but farmers' markets gave consumers the chance to support alternative food supplies, he said.

"The pendulum is starting to swing back. It is OK today to bottle preserves and make jam. It's now respectable," he said.

But with food prices expected to stay high, supermarkets would continue to draw customers attracted by cheaper spot deals, he said.

"People will continue to go to the farmers' markets, but they will tend to be middle-aged, middle-income or environmentally aware younger people," he said.

Green Party MP Sue Kedgley said people were realising they had to put local food production and security ahead of trade liberalisation.

"Farmers' markets are part of an alternative food economy," she said.

"They promote local self-sufficiency, have a low carbon footprint and connect farmers and consumers."

She said more people were growing their own food and seeking out the farmers' markets