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Local farmers' markets are shrugging off their old overpriced image and quickly becoming an affordable and sometimes a cheaper alternative to your local supermarket.

Wendy Tobbitt, Thames Valley Farmers' Market Co-operative's Press Officer says,

"We're all feeling the credit crunch. People have become used to wanting tasty food and recognising that they can make it themselves.

AWT at Windsor Market

"We've all seen the television programmes where people are making their own food."

Shopping at one of these markets is a very unique hands on experience.

"It's straight from the field, direct to the shopper. You're buying from the person who has either raised or reared the livestock, grown the vegetables and fruit or made the cheese and pies.

"There's a really good social atmosphere too. It's good fun and you meet lots of people."

Unlike supermarkets, much of the fresh produce is not overly pre-packed. This provides more choice for the consumer. Organic and non organic food are both readily available.

"You can go to the farmers market and choose as much or as little as you like.You don't have to buy anymore than you need.

"That's really important if you're on a budget. If you only want to buy two leeks, you can buy two leeks and sometimes you can pick them out yourself."

Shopping at these types of markets maybe a very alien concept for some, so Wendy has some advice on how to approach this particular shopping experience.

Bread

"If it's the first time you've been to a market, just walk around. Don't buy anything at first. Just have a look at everything on the stores.

"If you have any queries about the produce ask the store holders. Then you can make a decision about what you want to buy.

"Sometimes there are two or three different store holders selling similar produce.You want to go and see who is selling what and what looks best for what you want."

There are a wide range of foods available to suit the most basic or eloquent of meal set ups.

"All of the markets in Berkshire, sell good and sometimes unusual bread.The bread stalls in Newbury and Reading are immensely popular. Also there's things like venison, duck and goat's meat."

However, unlike supermarkets you're going to have to get up early to catch them before they close.

Dates of forthcoming Farmers Market can be found below:

Car Park 3 on the High Street, Ascot.
9.30am - 1pm听 19 Oct, 16 Nov, 21 Dec

Outside the Town Hall in the High Street, Hungerford.
9am - 1pm听听 26 Oct, 23 Nov and 21 Dec. 听

Market Place in the Town Centre, Newbury.
9am - 1pm听 5, 19 Oct, 2 and 16 Nov, 7 and 21 Dec.

At the Big Barn, Beech Road,Purley-on-Thames.
9am - 1pm听 11 Oct, 8 Nov and 13 Dec.

Cattle Market, Great Knolly's Street, Reading.
8.30am - 12 noon 4 and 18 Oct, 1 and 15 Nov, 6 and 20 Dec.

St Leonard's Rd, Windsor. 9am - 1pm听 4 Oct, 1 Nov and 6 Dec.

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