Bradfield Farmers Market has sprung
24 April 2011
Missie Cindz pops up to Bradfield Farmers Market. Green is the new purple?
Missie's Sheffield Food adventures. Bradfield Farmers Market full of Sheffield Food
Missie always loves a big cuppa Sheffield tea after a busy day fooding around. Thanks TeaBox! :)
Bradfield Farmers' Market full of Sheffield Food. Say hello to 'Just Preserves' :)
Bradfield Farmers' Market - Sheffield Food. Say hello to 'Heavenly Cheesecakes'
Bradfield Farmers' Market - Sheffield Food. Say hello to 'Lorna's Heavenlies'
Spring definitely sprung on us this weekend, casting lots of sweet rays of sunshine. I drove up to Sheffield’s Bradfield Farmers’ Market up at Bradfield Farm yesterday, With the aim to grab some groceries for my big Easter meal. The farm is only about 20 minutes from the city centre and if you know me well enough by now, you’ll know, where Sheffield Food goes, Missie C will try to make an effort to support and find her local Sheffield buddies. How can I resist when food’s involved? I can’t! Fork please!
Bradfield Farmers’ Market
In the spring sunshine the village looked very picturesque, nestled in among the hills with a pub, village shop and a massive central green area. If you missed out on yesterday’s Farmers’ Market don’t worry, the markets happen monthly (the next one being on Saturday 21st May, 10am – 4pm). The market is held in a modern village hall building. Featuring over 15 different food exhibitors selling fab Sheffield produce ranging from beef, pork, chicken, milk, pies, ice cream, fruit, vegetables, beer, chutneys, bread, honey, cheesecake, jams and cakes. Other items on sale include soap, bird feeders and fire wood. A Refreshments area is also available from the in-house cafe shop. I was indeed definitely spoilt for choice. Just take a look at my photos above (you can see how much fun the Missie had) – and if you’re not hungry after looking at these Sheffield treats, you’re smart to had eaten before reading! :)
If you asked me last year to attend a Farmers’ market, I’d probably laugh or ask what these were. Like I said to many of the food producers I said hello to (it was really lovely to meet you and to put a face to those foody tweets), I’ve always been a very ‘City Girl’ so to go out to the countryside this was very new to me.
For those who aren’t too sure what Farmers’ markets are (it’s OK, a year ago I was the same). Farmers’ Markets consist of individual vendors, mostly farmers but nowadays it’s quite common to find bakers, confectioners and talented craftmans too (yesterday I picked up some beautiful Sheffield soap). They set up booths, tables or stands, outdoors or indoors, to sell produce, meat products, fruits and prepared foods and beverages. At places like this, half the fun is going around each stall and enjoying the free tasters :)…if my definition is wrong please let me know (cc @OurCowMolly @MOSSVALLEY @HeeleyFarm @justpreserves :)
I’m beginning to love the Farmer’s Market! As I got there, the room was very full with very hungry members of the public who all shared a passion for FOOD! If you ever get to come to these Markets make sure you try the FREE tasters (this isn’t to say that all the food is overpriced because they’re not, plus whatever I bought here I knew I was getting good products as well as supporting independent producers).
The atmosphere was very colourful (I almost got out my sketchbook and lazed on the grass too) – a great community spirit, smiley faces everywhere I turned, all in all, a very ‘wholesome’ environment that left me feeling very well fed (definitely make sure you don’t eat anything before attending these markets). Farmers markets definitely add value to communities. I was very chuffed to had hi-fived my local farmer, Our Cow Molly’s farmer Eddie – Have a read of one of my previous posts to find out why hi-fiving your local farmer is a good thing: All the Fun at the Fair :)
Finally, with so many fruits and veggies as well as great baked goods, meats, and the BEST preserves in the world! Unfortunately I walked out without any chocolate easter eggs, but I’ve stocked up on a lot of other great stuff! (my purple larder is currently smiling now – Mission completed). Sheffield has a fantastic bunch of artisan producers with strong enthusiasm to promote themselves as Sheffield Food. Its true when they say “Good Food tastes better when it’s served at home”.
I’m always on the hunt for Sheffield’s best food producers. Give me a shout at hello@cindycheung.co.uk
Happy Easter everyone! Have a superb day and remember to eat something special.
Missie Cindz
