Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
General Food Markets
Not all farmers' markets are farmers' markets in the true sense, some offer a
wider range of produce. One market that has to be mentioned in a book on
food tourism is Borough Market (
www.boroughmarket.org.uk
) in London.
Borough Market is a true tourist destination and a backdrop to many films
and music videos. The market is located on Southwark Street in London. To
reach it one needs to get off the Underground at London Bridge and then
walk straight into the market.
This market was set up in 1276, although the locals will argue it was actually
1014. In 1754 it became so busy that there was an Act of Parliament to close the
market. Once it was closed the locals set it up again down the road. The existing
market was established in 1851 and is a great example of how food can become
an iconic tourist attraction providing fresh food from producers around Europe.
Their webpage describes it best:
Borough Market is London's most renowned food market; a source of
exceptional British and international produce.
It is a haven for anybody who cares about the quality and provenance of the
food they eat - chefs, restaurateurs, passionate amateur cooks and people who
just happen to love eating and drinking.
But it's not just the sheer quality of the food on offer that makes Borough
Market special - it is also about the people and the place.
Start your visit by meeting our traders, find out about what's happening in the
Market, take a look behind the stalls or sample the fine food.
Their magazine,
Life
, is one of the best newspaper-style market newsletters
anywhere in the world. It provides quality articles on food, chefs and farmers
involved in the market.
We all have our favourite markets. One that is a must-visit is La Boqueria
in Barcelona, Spain. This city is famous for Gaudi, Picasso and Catalonian
cuisine. One of the best places to experience that cuisine is at the markets
halfway down the famous La Ramblas. This 13th-century market started out-
side the city walls, arriving at its present location in 1914. Many stallholders
are now third and fourth generation.
Christmas Markets
In recent years two of the fastest growing weekend vacation destinations in
Europe in the month of December have been Germany and Prague in the
Czech Republic; the Meccas of the Christmas markets. Many other towns
around the world have also picked up the idea and Birmingham in the UK
now has one of the biggest Christmas markets in Europe.
Christmas markets have bolstered the economy of many traditional busi-
nesses at what was traditionally a more quiet time of the year. The markets
sell gifts and a wide range of items but local food is also an important ele-
ment of the Christmas markets.
