PALACE LOSE TO DONCASTER – BUT GET NATIONWIDE PRAISE
“We want to thank the whole of Palace for supporting us week in, week out, even when it’s pouring with rain or blowing a gale.”
CRYSTAL PALACE Food Market lost out to Doncaster for the title of best food market at Radio 4’s Food and Farming awards.
But Crystal Palace food market – which was only formed in May 2013 – can take huge heart and huge praise for making the top three in the country in such a short space of time. They finished joint runners up with Levenshulme (Manchester).
The awards ceremony was broadcast live on the Mark Forrest show across the BBC Local Radio network.
On Sunday (3 May) at 12.30pm, the BBC Radio 4 Food Programme will be the first of a two-part special about the Food & Farming Awards.
A special highlights package recorded at the awards ceremony will also be broadcast
on BBC Radio 4 on Monday 4 May at 3pm.
In an email the market says: “The night was a celebration of innovative people improving the quality of food across the UK, and we really felt like winners just being there.
“There was a beautiful film of our market shown (put together by the talented Isabelle Dotzauer) and the night was full of congratulations.
“We managed to catch up with our judges Peter Gott and Richard Corrigan, who praised our produce as ‘the best they’d come across’, Richard Corrigan even calling the market ‘an orchestra’.
In a press release Crystal Palace Food Market congratulated Doncaster Market on their win.
“We were thrilled to be nominated and that in itself has been a wonderful experience for us, providing a platform to talk about the importance of local markets and sustainable food in Britain today” said market organisers Karen Jones and Laura Marchant-Short.
“We are so proud to be part of the final three. “This represents a culmination of years of hard work by not only ourselves and our community of volunteers, food growers, producers and market traders, but also a recognition of both local markets and local communities supporting each other.
“Our market was self-funded and set up on volunteer energy, and represents the power of Transition Towns to bring people together and just get things done.
“So many long-term friendships have formed during our Saturday market, between the market team, all our many volunteers, our farmers, food producers and artists, in fact everyone in our community.
“Most of our visitors are regulars, and they are now really getting to understand the provenance and seasonality of the food they are buying and eating,” said Karen.
“It’s a great honour to be part of the BBC Food Awards and to be in the company of Doncaster and Levenshulme markets as well as all the other finalists.
“It’s given us a platform to talk about the principles that we set up and run the market by – supporting sustainable farmers and local food producers, helping to protect traditional farming knowledge and varieties and building community resilience.
The market, located at the bottom of Haynes Lane (off Westow Street) / top of Bedwardine Road SE19, happens every Saturday from 10am to 3pm and
Said Karen: “We try to ensure that everything is covered without duplicating any stalls so you’ll find a wide range of organic meat , British charcuterie and sustainably caught fish (along with oyster bar), lots of organic fresh fruit and veg, raw dairy, our Grain Grocer, bread baked in Brixton and Thornton Heath and locally produced cakes, gluten free goodies, deli items, preserves, pickles, artisan beers,small vineyard & natural wines as well as a different street food for lunch each week.
Said Laura: “One of the best things about the market for me is that it contributes to a deeper connection to nature and community”,
“We usually have a free children’s activity, gardening advice or cooking demonstration as well and our friends Antenna Studios run a lovely licensed cafe and recording studios next door which lend the market a great vibe.
“Special mention to our other neighbours Haynes Lane market – it’s a treasure trove of collectables in there.”
The press release adds: “The market also provides a free platform for the many other Crystal Palace Transition Town projects, including hosting our artist and makers collective stall Handmade Palace, and the Patchwork Farmstall, which sells or swaps gluts grown anywhere in Crystal Palace including on patches of soil or in window boxes as well as from our own Transition Town’s community gardens, everyone else’s back gardens and the many nearby allotments.
“Stalls are also provided at no charge to community groups such as schools, scouts, churches and charity fund-raisers. “We host a vibrant busking spot called Buskers’ Paradise along with the studios.
“This market was set up as an alternative to the current food system and to change our locals’ weekly shopping habits.
“We want to thank the whole of Palace for supporting us week in, week out, even when it’s pouring with rain or blowing a gale.”
