Archive for February, 2010
Aballu Truffles Are Most Loved……It’s Official!
Aballu…Truffles, artisan chocolatier based in Wrexham, has been named as one of the top 10 ‘best loved’ companies in the town.
The competition ’14 days of love’ was run by ‘The Best of Wrexham’ online guide, as part of a national campaign by ‘The Best Of’ group. It asked people from the area to write testimonials for their favourite local companies during the run-up to Valentine’s Day.
Jo Edwards from Aballu…Truffles said: “ I feel very proud to have been named one of Wrexham’s most loved companies. Particularly, as it has been the people of Wrexham that have taken the time and trouble to write such great things about Aballu…Truffles. It is testament to the efforts we make to always put the customer first.”
Aballu…Truffles sell a wide range of handcrafted chocolates, specialising in truffles, bars and more unusual gifts. If you would like to find out more about what they do go to www.aballutruffles.co.uk or phone 01978 854387.
The future of farmers’ markets
DESPITE a drive in recent years to promote local produce, there will be no more farmers’ markets in Wrexham from next month.
However, a few miles away in the Cheshire village of Malpas, a new farmers’ market is starting alongside already thriving markets in towns such as Nantwich and Whitchurch.
Is the decline of the market in Wrexham a reflection of different buying or even eating habits either side of the border or are there other factors to consider?
Wrexham Council blamed reduced attendance and pressure on public finances as reasons behind the decision to end the town’s farmers’ market.
Its lead member for regeneration, Cllr Rodney Skelland, said most of the farmers who had originally taken part had fallen away and that it had been difficult to recruit new producers.
But why did people stop going and why did farmers stop selling?
One answer could be that people aren’t buying locally. Better quality, small-scale production often leads to higher prices which can put local produce out of the reach of many shoppers.
Another factor to consider is that the frequency of a farmers’ market, like any other, seems to be a major factor in their success.
Although the markets in Cheshire and North Shropshire are, like Wrexham monthly, there tends to be at least one held every week, in places only a short distance apart.
Sue Thomson, standards manager at the National Farmers’ Retail and Markets Association (FARMA), said: “There are a lot of factors that come into play – certainly the take-up of local food by local people in the farmers’ market catchment.
“People don’t always look at what’s going on around the locality though. One of the trends we’re finding throughout the UK is that the markets that are weekly are the strongest.
“The customer base really shifts and they can become a part of people’s retail habit.”
According to Cllr Skelland, himself a retired farmer, it is not that the people of Wrexham are shunning local produce, rather they are choosing to go elsewhere to buy it.
He said: “The supermarkets are now sourcing a lot of food locally, especially perishables and meat. They have been very proactive in that way, which hasn’t helped the farmers’ market.
“The regular indoor market, which sells fresh produce, is very well attended.
“Negotiations are ongoing with stallholders from the farmers’ market and there are a number of options open to them.”
Cllr Skelland said these options might include selling at the Monday market, taking up vacant stalls in the indoor market or even continuing to run a farmers’ market without council funding.
This option may not be unrealistic as the loss of Wrexham’s farmers’ market doesn’t mean local producers are struggling.
Caroline Dawson, who works for Northern Marches Cymru as local food project officer for Wrexham, said: “It is actually quite a favourable time for them.
“Because of the credit crunch staying in has become the new going out. People have been treating themselves to something special – a good piece of meat, a nice pudding, a bottle of beer.”
As well as farm shops such as Lewis’ in Eyton, Bellis’ in Holt and Jones Brothers in Stansty, Caroline says the best outlets for producers in the area are the large food fairs.
She cites those held in Llangollen, Mold, Conwy and even Ludlow, Shropshire, where she is trying to ensure a good Wrexham presence this year.
She is about to launch a campaign and website specifically promoting Wrexham produce – Local Food First, Wrexham – and is also compiling a directory of local producers, which will be targeted at pubs and restaurants.
In Flintshire there is certainly no shortage of outlets. There are thriving farmers’ markets in Celyn and Mold and a number of busy farm shops around the county.
“In Mold in particular there is a real emphasis on eating local produce, with plans to increase the frequency of the town’s farmers’ market.
Patrick Noble, an organic farmer from Bryn Cocyn, near Denbigh, is also secretary of the Celyn market which covers Mold and the Grosvenor farmers’ market in Chester.
He said: “The Celyn farmers’ market has been going for 10 years now. There are usually about 25 stalls with a great variety of produce. The Mold market is a couple of years old but has been very popular.”
