Farm & More coming to Edinburgh
23 December 2011
FARM & MORE is coming to Edinburgh, 30 January-1 February 2012
FARM & MORE, the annual landmark event for farm shops, farmers' markets, artisan producers and suppliers to the farm retail sector will be taking place in Edinburgh from 30 January-1 February 2012.
FARMA has been working closely with the Scottish Association of Farmers' Markets (SAFM) and the Scottish Farmers' Markets Partnership (SFMP) in bringing FARM & MORE to Scotland. SAFM represents the majority of farmers' markets and producers in Scotland and FARM & MORE is delighted to have Ms Hilary Barker, SAFM Chair, presenting at the conference. Douglas Watson, National Development Officer and Sarah Milne, Support Coordinator of SFMP will also be participating on aspects of the farmers' markets sector in Scotland.
The event, which is supported by the Scottish Government and will be opened with a keynote speech from Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment in the Scottish Government, begins on Monday 30 January with four tours visiting 14 farm shops and other top-quality retailers around Fife, south Perthshire and West Lothian. It culminates with a free-to-attend trade show, using the Lowland Hall at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, on 1 February featuring exhibitors from the fine food and delicatessen world, as well as food production equipment and retailing kit such as labelling and packaging, lighting, tills and scales.
In between, on Tuesday 31 January, there is a multi-stream conference at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre in the city centre, covering retailing and marketing skills, farmers' markets development, catering and adding value, and farm attractions. There is a discounted ticket price for FARMA members, and a welcome is extended to all in the industry.
The tone of the event reflects the fact that, despite the gloom about the UK economy generally, the farm retail sector continues to do well. FARMA's annual sector tracking survey commissioned through YouGov showed a bounce-back for farm shops and farmers' markets from a dip in 2010, back to around one-third of UK households shopping at farm shops and farmers' markets during the year.
‘All of our research over the past year has been pointing to similar conclusions,' said Gareth Jones, FARMA's managing agent. ‘There are some fascinating trends at work, including a refocusing to support local retailers. Quality food matters more than ever when people are buying to a budget. Farm shops are seen to be offering the very best foods, from the farm of course but also from local and specialist suppliers, and it's viewed as value for money.'
‘The farm shop scene in Scotland must be among the most active in the UK, if not the world,' continued Mr Jones. ‘There has been - and continues to be - significant investment over the past decade resulting in some of the most sophisticated farm shops in Britain. The sector is dynamic, full of true entrepreneurs with vision and it is well supported by a growing customer base. Alongside the development of excellent retail outlets, there has been expansion in the supply side too. A number of exhibitors who have booked for the 2012 Farm & More trade show are developing their distribution networks into Scotland for the very reason that there's excellent growth.'
Farm & More, 30 January - 1 February 2012 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, The Exchange, Edinburgh; and at the Lowland Hall, Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston. More details from http://www.farmandmore.org.uk/ or call 0845 45 88 420