Local dairy traders faced with falling prices and a restricted cheese market have been given more stalls by this award winning local market.
Heather Cooper, the first milk producer to be offered a stall in January sold out in the first 2 hours. Their grass fed cattle in Beoley, Worcestershire produce 400ltr amounts of milk a day but they have not been able to secure a financially viable contract because no one is taking on new suppliers. They were faced with the slaughter of their cows.
Heather the dairy farmer said,
“Without Moseley Farmers Market I would not be able to maintain my herd.”
This pioneering scheme intends to offer temporary support to 5 diary producers who are producing milk within 50 miles of Moseley, helping farmers work against the cut throat slashing of prices that are driving them out of business.
Customer and volunteer market founder David Isgrove, found that obtaining organic or unpasteurised milk was very difficult in Birmingham even though there are a good range of health food and delicatessens in the area.
After support and success through Moseley Farmers Market, the Cooper family have applied for other local farmers markets and is looking forward to a long term relationship with Moseley.
Joss Kennodrie volunteer market manager states:
“whilst the local dairy farmers are experiencing difficulties we are keen to offer opportunities to local producers”
The Farmers Market is a social enterprise which ploughs any funds raised into the local community and in the last year a paid towards flower baskets in the village in the summer and supported the Christmas lights appeal.
Chris Hemming, Community Stall Market volunteer said,
“Our role is to support our traders and our local farming community particularly those producing milk, cheese, yogurt and butter at this time”
With the help of volunteers the Farmers market has won annual awards for its food and has been short listed by FARMA for an award this year.
“We can ensure trader both make a profit, produce quality produce with low food miles and we raise fund for local people.”
Moseley Farmers market, is a company limited by guarantee and trading as a social enterprise. It was set up more than fifteen years ago by Moseley Forum to help Moseley residents live more sustainably.