February Farmers Market

Another great farmers market on Saturday, see below for the photos, thank you to Daisy Gurr for taking these!

Ann from Home Gurr'own plants is starting to get lots of fantastic spring bulbs, Bubby Sue has delicious new cherry brandy jam and jelly made with the leftover cherries from her cherry brandy and the craft stalls were looking lovely with lots of great gifts for Mother's Day.

The next market is Saturday March 24th.

Bake and Crafthouse Gingerbread Men

Botterells Fish

Home Gurr'own Plants

Lilly's Wool

New jewellery stall

Wishfield Honey

Producer Profile - Cranbrook Conserves

Name and Business Name: 

Sue McGaughey - Cranbrook Conserves

 Short Description of the produce and business:

We are a local company who produce jam, chutney and other scrumptious preserves, which we sell at several local farmers’ markets around Kent and the South East. The majority of the fresh fruit and vegetables which go into our conserves are grown on our farm, so you know exactly where everything is coming from.

Using traditional methods and recipes, our jams and preserves are delicious, fresh and always handmade in our cottage kitchen. 

Which other markets and fairs do you show at? 

We regularly attend Penshurst, Rolvenden, Tonbridge, Horsmonden and Sissinghurst Farmers Markets and show annually at fairs at Great Dixter, Hawkhurst and Frewin College. You can also order online through the website www.cranbrookconserves.co.uk.

Website and contact details:
Website: www.cranbrookconserves.co.uk
email: sales@cranbrookconserves.co.uk
Telephone: 07946 233594

Producer Profile - V.J. Game & Sussex Smokers

Name & Business Name: 

Vincent Elliott - V.J. Game & Sussex Smokers

Short Description of the produce and business:

We are a small family run business based in Broad Oak, Brede. We specialise in high quality smoked meats and fish and a wide variety of venison and wild boar sausages and burgers.

How is the meat smoked?

The meat is smoked over traditional oak wood chippings for a unique and delicious flavour.

How long have you been selling at Cranbrook Farmer's Market?

Approximately 8 years.

Which other markets and fairs do you show at? 

We visit over 50 farmers markets each month in Sussex, Surrey, Kent and London and also supply many local farm shops and restaurants.

What is your busiest time of year as a producer and why? 

Our busiest times are Christmas for Game produce and the Summer months for Smoked Produce although both are available all year round. During the year we produce many different varieties of Wild Boar and Venison sausages and have seasonal varieties. eg at Christmas time we have Rudolphs Revenge (a spicy Venison sausage with Red Wine) and Santas Specials which are packed with Christmassy herbs and spices. It is not yet decided which we will have for the spring but there will certainly be at least 1 variety made with Wild Boar. 

Contact details:
sales@sussexsmokers.org.uk

01424 883060

Producer Profile - Mid Kent Sharpening

As well as all the fantastic produce and crafts for sale at the farmers market another fantastic reason to visit is Mid Kent Sharpening.

Now away until the spring

Graham can sharpen all of your garden tools in time for Spring or your knives, scissors and other tools, even your mower blades! They can usually done while you wait or while you wander around the other stalls.

For more information see www.midkentsharpening.co.uk or contact Graham directly:
midkentsharpening@hotmail.co.uk
07875 523699

January Farmers Market

Farmhouse Breakfast Week 22-28 January

This week is Farmhouse Breakfast Week, a week celebrating the most important meal of the day!

This Saturday is the first Cranbrook Farmers Market of the new year so is the perfect opportunity to get up early and stock up on lovely ingredients to make a delicious breakfast this weekend.

Bread, jams, pastries, breakfast muffins, juice, eggs, bacon and sausages will all be available from 9-12 in the Vestry Hall. (Plus ingredients for lunch and dinner too!)

Top Breakfast Facts:

• Research suggests that breakfast eaters have lower stress levels than breakfast skippers.
• People that start the day with a healthy breakfast are more likely to be within their ideal weight range than those who skip breakfast.
• You should have breakfast within two hours of waking to replenish energy stores after an overnight fast.

Producer Profile - Bake and Crafthouse

Name and Business Name:

Kate Alsanjak – Bake and Crafthouse

Short Description of the produce and business:

Bake and Crafthouse is based just on the edge of Cranbrook town centre and I offer an exciting selection of cooking and craft classes. For the farmers market I make and sell a range of delicious cakes using local and seasonal ingredients whenever possible. The cakes and deserts are also available to order from the Bake and Crafthouse and I also stock a range of handmade gifts at the workshop.

How long have you been selling at Cranbrook Farmer’s Market?

I have been selling at the farmers market for 3 months, the Bake and Crafthouse opened in September 2011.

The best thing about Cranbrook and the local area?

I love the wide range of independent shops in the high street and everyone has been really friendly and supportive since I opened. There are lots of exciting food enterprises around and I keep discovering new local producers and suppliers. I also love cherry season and this year I have rented a cherry tree for the year (just outside Northiam) so will be working on lots of new cherry recipes in the Summer.

Which other markets and fairs do you show at?

From February I will be selling a range of tarts and deserts at Penshurst Farmers Market, I also have shopping events at the Bake and Crafthouse premises from time to time.

What is your busiest time of year as a producer and why?

The busiest time is during the school holidays as I run lots of classes for children. They love to learn to bake and take home lots of delicious goodies and recipe cards.

Contact details, phone, website etc:

Telephone: 01580 388087

Email: kate@bakeandcrafthouse.com

Website: www.bakeandcrafthouse.com

Blog (with lots of receipes and workshop updates) www.bakeandcrafthouse.blogspot.com