HAMPSHIRE Farmers’ Markets is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

The movement that brought farmers closer to consumers was launched in Winchester in 1999.

It now hold nine markets in towns and cities across Hampshire each month.

David Woodroofe, chairman at Hampshire Farmers’ Markets, said: “2019 is shaping up to be a good year already. Winchester was where we held our very first market back in 1999 and it is here where our celebrations will kick-off in May.

"We’re also very excited to announce we will be hosting a special event at Leckford Farm Shop and nursery near Stockbridge in June."

Hampshire Farmers’ Markets have released the all-important market dates for 2019. Fill in your diaries and calendars with the closest one to you. Or, if you’ve never visited before, perhaps your New Year’s resolution could be to go along and try some of the delicious items made by some of our best Hampshire producers.

All members must source at least 20 per cent of their ingredients from Hampshire or within a 20-mile radius. Plus any produce grown, reared or raised must spend at least 50 per cent of its time with the producer. Traceability is important to all of us and visitors to markets can be assured everything is fully traceable.

The markets aren’t the only place you can find delicious produce to buy this year. You will be able to say hello and pick up your favourite ingredients at the Alresford Watercress Festival and Hamble Festival in May as well as Open Farm Sunday at Broughton Buffalo on June 9.

Mr Woodroofe added: “2018 was a great year for new markets and new members joining Hampshire Farmers’ Markets and we’re hoping 2019 will be even better. There are even more brilliant producers to meet at your local market. You can buy everything from chocolate to cheese and salad to strawberries – there’s no reason not to eat seasonal and local. Plus supporting your local producers means you’re also supporting your High Street – something that’s becoming crucially important for the businesses in all our towns and cities.”

The markets have been hailed as boosting many small-scale farmers by allowing them to sell directly to the public, maximising profits by cutting out the middleman.

At one stage the Winchester market was the largest in the UK, regularly attracting around 100 stallholders when based in the Middle Brook Street area. The market uis now held on the High Street.

Full list of market dates:

January

Saturday January 12 Alton

Sunday January 13 Winchester

Saturday January 19 Emsworth

Sunday January 20 Southsea

Saturday January 26 Ringwood

Sunday January 27 Winchester

February

Sunday February 3 Petersfield/Romsey

Saturday February 9 Alton

Sunday February 10 Winchester

Saturday February 16 Emsworth

Sunday February 17 Southsea

Saturday February 23 Ringwood

Sunday February 24 Winchester

March

Sunday March 3 Petersfield/Romsey

Saturday March 9 Alton

Sunday March 10 Winchester

Saturday March 16 Emsworth

Sunday March 17 Southsea

Saturday March 30 Ringwood

Sunday March 31 Winchester

April

Sunday April 7 Petersfield/Romsey

Saturday April 13 Alton

Sunday April 14 Winchester

Saturday April 20 Emsworth

Sunday April 21 Southsea

Saturday April 27 Ringwood

Sunday April 28 Winchester

May

Sunday May 5 Petersfield/Romsey

Saturday May 11 Alton/Hamble

Sunday May 12 Winchester 20th anniversary

Saturday May 18 Emsworth

Sunday May 19 Southsea/Watercress Festival

Saturday May 25 Ringwood

Sunday May 26 Winchester

June

Sunday June 2 Romsey

Saturday June 8 Alton

Sunday June 9 Open Farm Sunday

Saturday June 15 Emsworth

Sunday June 16 Southsea

Saturday June 29 Ringwood

Sunday June 30 Winchester

July

Sunday July 7 Petersfield/Romsey

Saturday July 13 Alton

Sunday July 14 Winchester

Saturday July 20 Emsworth

Sunday July 21 Southsea/Southampton

Saturday July 27 Ringwood

Sunday July 28 Winchester

August

Sunday August 4 Petersfield/Romsey

Saturday August 10 Alton

Sunday August 11 Winchester

Saturday August17 Emsworth

Sunday August 18 Southsea

Sunday August 25 Winchester

Saturday August 31 Ringwood

September

Sunday September 1 Petersfield/Romsey

Saturday September 7 Hamble Food Festival

Sunday September 8 Winchester

Saturday September 14 Alton

Sunday September 15 Southsea

Saturday September 21 Emsworth

Saturday September 28 Ringwood/British Food Fortnight Emsworth

Sunday September 29 Winchester

October

Sunday October 6 Petersfield/Romsey

Saturday October 12 Alton

Sunday October 13 Winchester

Saturday October 19 Emsworth

Sunday October 20 Southsea

Saturday October 26 Ringwood

Sunday October 27 Winchester

Sunday September 29 Winchester

November

Sunday November 3 Petersfield/Romsey

Saturday November 9 Alton

Sunday November 10 Winchester

Saturday November 16 Emsworth

Sunday November 17 Southsea

Sunday November 24 Winchester

Saturday November 30 Ringwood

December

Sunday December 1 Petersfield/Romsey

Sunday December 8 Winchester

Saturday December 14 Alton

Sunday December 15 Southsea

Saturday December 21 Emsworth/Ringwood

Sunday December 22 Winchester/Romsey

Markets are open from 10am-2pm except Winchester, 9am-2pm and Romsey, 10am-1pm.