FARMA
Encyclopedia
FARMA is a co-operative association of farmers, producers and farmers' market organisations in the United Kingdom
.
selling their produce directly to consumers. It operates a certification scheme for UK farmers' markets, and its rules have been adopted by many markets and are supported by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
FARMA is recognised by Cooperatives UK
as the federal organisation supporting farmers' markets and local foods in the UK.
Its rules are based around five major principles:
Markets can support additional rules, and define their own local area (usually set as a distance or as a County boundary). FARMA recommend a maximum radius of 30 miles, but accept that for large cities a radius of 50 miles is more appropriate.
UK farmers' markets have to abide by regulation from their local authority, and some local authorities have adopted the FARMA guidelines as a requirement.
Farm Shop
Local food
Cooperatives UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Overview
FARMA, the National Farmers' Retail and Markets Association is an organisation that was set up to represent farmers and organisations such as farmers markets and farm shopsFarm shop
A Farm shop is a type of retail outlet which usually sells produce directly from a farm. Some farm shops also resell related goods such as locally produced groceries, foods, drinks and delicatessen products....
selling their produce directly to consumers. It operates a certification scheme for UK farmers' markets, and its rules have been adopted by many markets and are supported by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
FARMA is recognised by Cooperatives UK
Cooperatives UK
Co-operatives UK is "the central membership organisation for co-operative enterprise throughout the UK", a co-operative federation founded in 1870 as the Co-operative Central Board, before changing its name to the Co-operative Union and finally becoming Co-operatives UK following its merger with...
as the federal organisation supporting farmers' markets and local foods in the UK.
History
FARMA came about as a merger in 2003 between the Farm Retail Association (operating since 1979, representing farm shops and pick-your-own farms) and the National Association of Farmers' Markets (operating since 1999). The merger was announced at the Royal Show in Stonleigh Park in July 2004.Objectives
FARMA define their mission statement as:- To support the sustainable development of farmers’ markets, farm shops, PYO, box schemes and home delivery
- To sustain and promote high ethical standards for all parts of the industry
- To define and promote the environmental, social and economic values of the industry
- To promote the value of local produce in communities
- To encourage high professional standards and improve management and retailing skills
- To provide a national voice for farmers’ markets, PYO, farm shops, box schemes and home delivery/internet sales
- To act as a conduit for information to, from and within the industry
Market Certification
FARMA certifies farmers' markets in the UK that operate under its guidelines. Markets are independently assessed by a third party and the inspections are carried out on an individual basis. Over 200 farmers' markets in the UK have been Certified by FARMAIts rules are based around five major principles:
- Food must be produced within a defined local area
- The food must be sold by someone involved in producing it
- Primary produce (things that are sold without significant preparation) must be grown or reared locally
- Secondary produce (value added items, for example pickles or bread) should contain at least one primary product from within the local area, with a recommended minimum of 25% local ingredients.
- Traceability: Information should be available from the market and the traders about how items were produced
Markets can support additional rules, and define their own local area (usually set as a distance or as a County boundary). FARMA recommend a maximum radius of 30 miles, but accept that for large cities a radius of 50 miles is more appropriate.
UK farmers' markets have to abide by regulation from their local authority, and some local authorities have adopted the FARMA guidelines as a requirement.
See also
Farmers' marketsFarm Shop
Farm shop
A Farm shop is a type of retail outlet which usually sells produce directly from a farm. Some farm shops also resell related goods such as locally produced groceries, foods, drinks and delicatessen products....
Local food
Local food
Local food or the local food movement is a "collaborative effort to build more locally based, self-reliant food economies - one in which sustainable food production, processing, distribution, and consumption is integrated to enhance the economic, environmental and social health of a particular...
Cooperatives UK
Cooperatives UK
Co-operatives UK is "the central membership organisation for co-operative enterprise throughout the UK", a co-operative federation founded in 1870 as the Co-operative Central Board, before changing its name to the Co-operative Union and finally becoming Co-operatives UK following its merger with...
External links
- FARMA corporate website
- Listings of Certified farmers' markets in the UK, run by FARMA
- Listings of farm shops in the UK, run by FARMA
- Listings of farm shops and farmers' markets in Wales, run by FARMA Cymru, a regional division of FARMA
- Map and listings of Certified farmers' markets in the UK using FARMA's database