Many stallholders at farmers’ markets are small family run businesses producing free range food grown and reared on their own small holdings – they are passionate about farming and selling the very best local produce directly to their communities.

 

No farming business embodies this more than Chy-an-Besow Farm in Carleen near Helston. Tim and Julie Bennetts, with their son Glynn, have become one of the area’s leading producers of top quality rare breed meats since they first cleared the land and laid it to pasture five years ago.

 

Tim explained: “As a family we always wanted our own farm and were lucky enough to find this land back in 2005. It’s been a lot of hard work to get to where we are today. You don’t go into farming if you want a normal job – it’s a way of life for our whole family.”

 

Chy-an-Besow supplies free range seasonal pork, lamb, beef, chicken and eggs. At farmers’ markets they also sell Julie’s homemade sausage rolls, scotch eggs, pate and have become renowned for their hog’s puddings.

 

“We’ve really been able to develop our business by selling directly at farmers’ markets – they’re a great way to establish a customer base and test your product. Customers can find out exactly what food they’re putting on their plate, where it’s come from and how it was fed and cared for. We pride ourselves on the freshness and quality of our meat, and are happy to answer any questions about the animals.” Tim added.

 

Chy-an-Besow Farm will be at St Ives Farmers’ Market every Thursday from 9.30am to 2pm, and Helston Farmers’ Market on the first Saturday of every month. For orders directly from the farm please contact Tim on 07764 275461 or visit www.chyanbesow.co.uk.

 

If you are interested in setting up your own farmers’ market, would like to become a stallholder, volunteer or would just like to find your nearest market please contact Victoria Amran on 07787 561770 or tor@wcfm.org.uk.