HAMPSHIRE Farmers Markets (HFM) is to double its presence in Romsey by going monthly from January 2011. There will also be new farmers markets at Port Solent and in Cosham during the year.

Until now, the market has been held once every other month but because of the huge success of the market since the change of location last February, the decision has been made to bring local produce to the town every month.

HFM Business Development Manager, Alex Handford, said, “We are really excited about increasing the number of markets in Romsey and enabling people in the town to access our range of locally produced goods twice as often as they can now. Since we moved to Alma Road car park earlier this year we have seen a large increase in footfall and we would like to thank everyone for helping to support our producers.”

Hampshire Farmers’ Markets will also be coming to Port Solent twice during the year and Cosham in the food festivals organised as part of Portsmouth City Council’s food initiative. It also follows a successful market that was held at the Port Solent Food Festival in 2010.

Hampshire Farmers’ Markets brings certified local food to locations throughout the county. The market at Winchester has just won the regional final of the FARMA Farmers’ Market of the year awards. Anything sold at the markets must have been produced within Hampshire or ten miles of its borders.