THERE was a time when we had fresh locally reared trout at the market every week - you may remember we had the organic trout and watercress stall and Cockleford Trout Farm at one time.

Sadly these businesses are no longer in existence but luckily we still have Donnington Trout Farm at the market every second and fourth Saturday.

The Marine Conservation Society has recently classified farmed trout as a top green choice for seafoods (fish) and Mr Bull and his staff have a strict regime in place to ensure the trout farm has a minimum environmental impact.

Trout are bred and grown on the family-run farm in crystal-clear Cotswold limestone spring water. They use feeds from sustainable non-GM sources which incorporate vegetable proteins and oils to reduce the use of marine-based oils.

Careful feeding minimises the impact on the water flowing out of the farm and this water is tested regularly by the Environment Agency.
At Donnington they rear rainbow trout and the European native brown trout.

Trout of all sizes are prepared to order, so freshness is assured and they produce a delicious and popular range of traditionally smoked products that are all prepared in the farm smoking house; my mum was particularly fond of the smoked eel.

As well as regularly attending farmers' markets, customers can go and visit the farm to see trout at all stages of their growth, feed the fish and buy from our on-site farm shop.

It’s a fascinating visit and if you are keen on a bit of fly-fishing then next to the farm is a one-and-a-half acre, secluded lake which is open for fly-fishing all year.

Day and half-day tickets are available and equipment hire and tuition hire can be arranged

Why not pop down to the market this week and check out Donnington’s great range of fresh fish, smoked fish and the ever popular trout pate?

You will not only be buying a top quality product but will be supporting a well-established, local food production business that has environmental credentials established over years of experience.