In an era where consumers are understandably increasingly concerned about the origins of their food, Pedddle provides a platform that connects shoppers with markets committed to ethical standards, ensuring that the journey from farm to table is both transparent and trustworthy. Pedddle is the UK's premier artisan directory, a space to discover local artisan events and the artisans that sell at them, and they are focused on emphasising the importance of ethical practices in the food industry by promoting farmers' markets that prioritise transparency and local sourcing.

Spring and Summer are the best time to discover new local markets, and farmers markets especially provide a plethora of foodie wonders. Picture strolling through an artisan event on a summer day; cold drink in hand, the smell of fresh bakes and barbecue lingering in the air. And did we mention food markets are usually full of free samples too?! One of the best reasons to visit! A true taste explosion.

Markets such as Taste Cheshire and Taste of East Anglia Food and Drink Festival are annual events dedicated so showcasing the food and drink of their respective counties. Events organisers like LSD Promotions have a set of one-off foodie events this year, entitled the ‘Dine ‘n’ Devour’ markets, which pretty much is exactly as you’d expect - a space to dine and devour all the scrumptious food you can imagine! Likewise, North Nots Artists, Makers and Fine Foods Markets showcase a range of stallholders from across Derbyshire who focus on making great artisan foodstuffs. All details of these events can be found on Pedddle.com.

Market Manager Rebecca Adams tells us exactly why Farmers Markets are so popular. “Artisan markets are the perfect place for all kinds of unique finds, but Farmers Markets and Food and Drink Markets are especially focused on great food and taste. To be honest though, at most artisan markets you can find foodie staples like sauces, spices and Street Food which will delight the entire family. They’re great spaces to meet friends too and connect over sharing some great food! Consumers are increasingly looking for unique experiences and spending their money more wisely, and these markets provide a transparent sourcing chain too”.

Shopping locally at farmers' markets not only supports ethical food production but can also be cost-effective for consumers. A survey by the University of the West of England found that organic meat and poultry were 37% more expensive in supermarkets, whilst organic vegetables cost 33% more, compared to farmers' markets. Rebecca continues, “most people think ‘artisan = expensive’ but it’s actually not the case. You certainly get more value for money, and statistics do show that shopping locally can actually be more cost effective in lots of ways. If you visit a local market, many are city-centre based so you could even walk there to save cash”.

With over 650 farmers' markets operating nationwide, the UK's local food scene is thriving - and now is the perfect time of year to support it. April sees many markets start back for the year, after a winter rest period. Rebecca says, “Eating seasonally is also becoming more important to people; we don’t want artificial food, we want to eat as nature intended, and markets often have organic produce which allows more room for healthy eating. We also have a lot of specific Vegan markets listed on Pedddle, which is ideal for vegans or those with free-from needs, yet without missing out on taste”.

Pedddle is dedicated to supporting the growth of these food and drink markets by making it easier for consumers to find and engage with local markets, and discover them both online and in person. By choosing to shop at these markets, consumers not only enjoy fresh, ethically produced food but also contribute to the sustainability of local economies and the broader food chain. Head to Pedddle.com to find out more!