Regular readers of this blog will know that I love markets. The great thing about markets is that small and new producers can make a start (without expensive fixed costs), goods are usually cheaper and the market stall holders generally buy locally and spend their earning locally, which then helps the whole area. I've seen other towns where the council have neglected the market (or given the traders unaffordable rents) and the whole town then goes into a downward spiral.
I knew before I went that Todmorden would have a good market. You can tell that the fruit and veg on this stall, in the outdoor market, are really fresh, and much comes from local producers.
There's stalls like Leagram Organic Dairy:
selling their Lancashire cheese, with a twist! Next door was C.N. Quality Foods who sell bacon, eggs, black pudding, sausages, cheese and rag puddings. Next door to them a stall was selling fresh fish.
If you've got a sweet tooth, there's Duerden's fudge and toffee from Burnley:
Inside there's more food stores. Brian's Farmfayre has been in the market for over 50 years, and like many stalls was displaying a sign thanking people for supporting a campaign against another new supermarket. I've mentioned Corporate Watch before in this blog. I see the supermarket claims it will create 150 new jobs (it doesn't say how many would be part time). It doesn't state how many other jobs would be lost in the town as a result of a one stop shop....
Stalls were also supporting Totally Locally:
There were several good butchers like Paul Stansfield - who also sells game, Jim Bracewell - who sells his own and local meat, and Jim Melling - who's lamb comes from a couple of miles away:
I particularly liked Jean and Andrew Hartley's Crumbly Cheese stall:
They sell home made cakes, like date and walnut loaf and Yorkshire parkin:
It's nice to see that they, like many stall owners, supported the Incredible Edible Todmorden initiative (see last post):
They have a good selection of local cheese, the only question is do you want creamy Lancashire, crumbly Lancashire, tasty Lancashire or strong Toaster Lancashire?
If, by now, you're ready for a drink, you can have a cup of coffee with Exchange Coffee, from Blackburn:
I've not managed to cover every good food stall in the market, I've heard very good reports of Curried Away, but they're only there on Saturdays. I'll just have to go back...
Todmorden Market
Brook Street
Todmorden
OL14 5AJ
Tel: 01422 359034
Web: http://todmordenmarkets.com
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