Retailers could be faced with a shortage of British-grown brassicas in the autumn and winter as the dry weather affects growing conditions, producers have warned.

The main planting season for brassica crops, such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, is now under way. However, the recent dry and hot weather is threatening this year's crops as dry conditions can stunt their growth and broccoli plants risk closing up.

"We could see significant potential falls in production during the period of September through to early November," warned Philip Effingham of the Brassica Growers’ Association. This is on top the fact that warmer weather means customers are choosing salads over brassicas.

On the up side, it’s not only lettuce that’s doing well. One producer in Kent is looking forward to the first commercial crop of English-grown kiwis. Worldwide Fruit planted two varieties, Hayward and Harding in May and hopes to harvest the first cop in October 2012, with fruit appearing in shops the following month. If the project succeeds, there are plans to plant red and gold flesh varieties.

We’ve had a few farmers’ market organisers contact us of late looking for some new ideas for their markets. If you’re after some inspiration, here are our current top ten suggestions from market managers and the FARMA team:

1. Berry Bonanzas: Celebrate gooseberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, and cherries. This Saturday 17 July is also National Cherry Day. Offer different varieties to taste, and encourage producers to use the fruit in their products eg. cakes, pies, biscuits, meat stuffings and sausages, juices and preserves. Do something similar for the first apples when they arrive. 

2. Involve local businesses – Some markets partner other community projects, but it’s also worth talking to local businesses who want a platform for their products and services. Eg. Tunbridge Wells’ farmers’ markets have Lakeland Plastics coming with their staff to demo the latest smoothie makers and a jam making machine (jame in 30 minutes!).

3. Cookery demos – these don’t have to be expensive – some restaurants and cookery schools will help pay for a demo kitchen in exchange for the chance to profile their business.

4. Keep cashing in on ‘grow your own’ trend. Some markets have 'plant fayres @ the farmers' market' which attracts a wider, but complementary, audience on the look out for locally bred, unusual plants. It’s not to late for vegetable plug plants either – encourage succession planting, and think about offering plugs of winter vegetables (turnips, parsnips, kale etc) How about grow your own veg for Christmas?

5. Promote BBQ as a market. BBQ food is not just about sausages and burgers – think about how you can encourage people to put together an alfresco menu from across the market. Perhaps use a 'Perfect for the BBQ' logo to be displayed by suitable products on every stand, or maybe even run a promotional offer on those products?

6. School holidays are nearly here, so think about how you can better engage children and families at the market. You might want to work with local youth and community groups, provide hands-on kid's activities, organize colouring or recipe competitions, or get live animals in to view. Perhaps provide a craft tent within a café area – frazzled parents will be grateful!

7. Profit from tourism – Summer also means more tourists and visiting relatives. Consider activities linked to the local heritage or other festivals already planned in the town.

8. Harvest Festival – September is a month of abundance as the last of the summer crops overlap with early Autumn fruit and veg. Use established promotions such as British Food Fortnight, or the traditional Harvest Festival, or come up with something of your own.

9. Create a buzz – The plight of the bumble and honey bees have much documented, but news is only just starting to reach a lot of the public. Think about having a Bee week – get a honey producer or someone from the Beekeepers Association to talk or bring in a demo bee hive. Get a webcam installed in a live hive to show at the market. Promote bee friendly plants.

10. Natural cosmetics – Natural ingredients in cosmetics is very much on trend, and good way to attract a younger audience. Consider getting in beauticians or companies to demo products, or show how food can be used to create beauty products (berries, yoghurt and honey make a great face mask).

Now in their 11^th year, the BBC Food & Farming Awards offer a great platform to food, drink and farming businesses, including farm shops and farmers’ markets, and guaranteed high profile media exposure to the winners. And for the first time, British drinks producers have their own dedicated category.

Encourage your customers to nominate you via the The Food Programme website, by email or by post. More details at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/ffa/2010

Presenter of BBC Radio 4's The Food Programme, Sheila Dillon, said: "Food and farming have the potential to become important drivers of our future economy. These awards, celebrating the best of Britain's food producers, farmers, retailers and markets have never been more important." 

Chair of judges and chef, Angela Hartnett, added: "We know there are businesses out there changing the direction of food and farming in this country, it's now down to the public to make sure we hear about them.” 

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony in November.

Closing date for entries is August 15th 2010.

The government has announced the appointment of a new farming industry stalwart to chair a taskforce to slash regulations affecting farmers and food producers.

DEFRA has asked the new Task Force on Farming Regulation to put the industry "under the microscope" to find ways to "reduce the regulatory burden" by cutting the rules themselves, as well as their implementation and enforcement by inspections.

Richard Macdonald, who last year retired as director general of the National Farmers Union after a 30-year career with the organisation, has been appointed as chairman of the group.

The NFU welcomed the announcement for its likelihood of "reducing the stranglehold of red tape", arguing that members struggled to cope with rules that made tougher demands than those from European rivals, and could involve inspections of the same issue by up to four agencies.

The news is likely to be well supported in most instances, although conservation groups, water companies and food experts have expressed concerns that in some cases biodiversity and landscape which are currently protected by regulations might be compromised with their relaxation. Vicky Hird, food campaigner for Friends of the Earth, said: "We're in favour of anything that helps farmers do their job, but with the crisis of food security, climate change, biodiversity loss, and food safety issues over the last 20 years, it's essential they keep regulations in place that maintain and enhance our ability to farm sustainably and safely."

FARMA members George and Ross Mason of Gonalston Farm Shop in Nottinghamshire are climbing Kilimanjiro later this year for charity, and to help raise money for the cause a large yellow duck is doing the rounds of UK farm shops...



The duck, named Kibo, is the idea of FARMA Associates and EPOS providers to Gonalston, Lakeland Computer Consultancy Services (LCCS). LCCS are sponsoring Kibo to tour farm shops, delis etc. and for every business who receives Kibo by post, and lets George at Gonalston know, they will donate £10 to the climb. More info on their website http://www.lccs.co.uk/

BPEX has launched a Love Summer campaign covering BBQ’s, Picnics and Al Fresco eating occasions. The campaign will be supported by regional radio and press and national magazine competitions and features.

Retailers can apply for a Love Summer Pork kit, consisting of 25 sets of 6 recipe cards, a poster and a pork cuts specification guide. To apply for a kit, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Further recipes can be downloaded at http://www.lovepork.co.uk (‘our recipes’ tag at the top). Caterers might also be interested in the Score with Pork activity which will accompany the World Cup. http://www.porkforcaterers.com Picnics are being rebranded as PIGnics - a chance to promote favourites like pork pies, sausage rolls, freshly sliced ham and cocktail sausages.