Frome’s monthly Sunday Market has been named Best Food & Farmers Market in the South West Food & Farming Awards 2017.
The market team were overjoyed to win the award, which was open to nominees from across Somerset, Gloucestershire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Devon.
The Frome Independent was up against Eat Festivals and Weston Super Food Festival, but caught the eye of the judges for its dedication to championing the very best food produce found in Frome and the South West in the Western Daily Press sponsored event.
This year the food lineup at The Frome Independent offers everything from locally-reared pork sausages to vegan marsala dosas. There are over 80 food traders at each of the events, which also incorporates stalls for local farmers, veg growers and producers of cheese, local cider, confectionary and baked goods.
The market team never cease to be impressed by the ingenious ways in which their traders champion local seasonal ingredients.
Market director Tabitha Clayson said, “The Frome Independent is a great place to stock up on high quality seasonal produce from the local area, but it’s also somewhere that you can find some amazing cuisines from around the world, all made here in the South West.”
The Market continues to be popular with residents and visitors, with many now citing the food on offer on market days as the main reason to visit the Frome Independent. The market is a great boost for local food traders too, with many stating that The Frome Independent is by far their busiest day of the year. Some traders, such as Penleigh Farm Butchers, have flourished so much on market days as to open permanent shops in the town.
Tabitha and her team were also thrilled to learn that The Frome Independent is a finalist in another prestigious local award, the details of which will be announced later this month.
She said, “The Frome Independent is a small not-for-profit company, run with the help of a great team of local people. Winning nominations and awards is great recognition of all the hard work that our traders and team put in behind the scenes.”
The next market takes place on Sunday 4th June, 10am – 3pm, throughout Frome town centre, with the usual eclectic mix of contemporary craft, vintage treasures and, of course, amazing food.