Bumper Markets Promised as Spring Returns

Truro Farmers Market is celebrating the return of spring, with a feast of local produce and fresh flavours marking the change of season.

With an injection of new producers, seasonal foodstuffs and a reinvigorated street food offering, the market is a great place to experience Cornwall’s grassroots food scene this spring.

Raw Chocolate producer Food of the Gods has joined the market, supplying organic, raw chocolate made in St Just, Penwith, with varieties including Mulberries, Coffee Bean and Spiced Orange.

Another new stall-holder is Pura Pressed – locally made juices and soups which offer a healthy nutritional boost from natural ingredients.

These new traders are now appearing at market alongside long-standing regulars like Meadowside Nursey, which sells vegetables, cut flowers and plants at its busy and colourful market stall.

Owner Anne Pengelly is currently enjoying a run on Anemones and Alstroemeria and of course Daffodils, while later in the spring potted Aquilegia and Lupins will be available.

Anne is also busy dispensing Purple Sprouting Broccoli and newly arrived Spring Rhubarb, and it wouldn’t be too long before highly prized Tregassow Asparagus returns to market for its short but eagerly-anticipated season.

Jennie Keeler from Tregassow explained: “We like to have our fields in the open rather than covered as some do, so our asparagus is naturally grown with sun, wind and rain, and the dates are therefore very weather dependent!”

Meanwhile the selection of Street Food available at market has an underground following amongst those in the know, who are drawn towards the irresistible scent of Samosa, Flatbreads and Curries from Ruby June’s Indian Kitchen.

Another favourite is Harry Bartlett’s delicious offering; the @Home menu this spring is inspired by Mexican street food and features Burritos, Quesadillas, Enchiladas, Tostadas and Fish Tacos made using market produce including Primrose Herd Pork and Venison from Duchy Game.

Yallah Coffee has bought the flavours of Central America to market, after a recent sourcing trip to Nicaragua.

Entrepreneur and coffee obsessive Richard Blake says: “For the first time we were able to journey to the origin of our beans to meet farmers and source coffee, and we are now selling coffee from one of the farms we visited – Santa Maria De Lourdes – and we’re expecting more deliveries in the coming months.”

With these and many other fresh new ideas, spring is the perfect time to rediscover the joys of your local market.

The Farmers Market takes place every Saturday and Wednesday on Lemon Quay in Truro, with a regular market every Tuesday on The Moor in Falmouth.

Follow us on Twitter at @TruroFarmersMkt