We are joining in with celebrating World Farmers’ Market Week this week with our colleagues from the Farm Retail Association and farmers markets both here in the UK and across the globe.

We are united in our unique approach to how and what we sell. What is being sold is grown, reared, brewed, stewed, pickled, baked and made by the business that’s there selling it. No bought in goods are allowed.

This is a unique element of farmers’ markets. Where else can you go and actually buy from the producer, with your food coming direct from their farm or kitchen?

We farmers’ market organisers are passionate about these simple rules. It means every market is unique, with its own local group of traders offering their unique produce.

This year’s “week” wants to highlight the work of market organisers and workers who make sure the markets keep happening week after week.

I don’t like blowing my own trumpet though so I would like to pay tribute to the large numbers of young workers we have had helping us set up and helping the stallholders to unload their vehicles. Over the last 25 years we have had countless workers join us age 14-ish. They work on Saturdays, setting up from 6am – no mean feat for a 14-year-old! They usually stay until about 17 when the pressures of their social lives mean working Saturdays at 6am is no longer do-able. It has always been a particular delight watching them evolve through those years. Thanks, lads!