RESIDENTS of Abergavenny and beyond had a taste of something new as the town hosted a brand new Spring Food Fair.
On Saturday 9th March, the historic St Mary’s Priory and Tithe Barn played host to the family-friendly event, giving attendees the opportunity to explore the best fresh produce and artisanal delights from Monmouthshire and the surrounding area.
The Fair showcased local businesses and producers to put visitors back in touch with sustainable food production in our special landscape.
The free Spring Food Fair celebrated the flavours of the season – with visitors meeting local growers and producers and sampling delicious produce.
As well as shopping for seasonal staple foods and signing up to innovative box schemes, visitors enjoyed live music, engaging talks and activities for children.
The event was a collaboration between the Abergavenny Food Festival and Monmouthshire County Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Food Resilience Programme.
A total of 25 exhibitors and street food vendors attended, including Black Welsh Lamb, Tir Awen market garden and Monnow Valley Cider.
For some, this was the next step in a journey taken over several months with support from Monmouthshire County Council and Food Partnership, starting with a Meet the Buyer event in March 2022 then building through Monmouthshire Food & Drink Business Network events, a shared trading space at Abergavenny Food Festival 2023 and now on to a solo pitch at the Spring Food Fair, showing how partnership working and peer-to-peer collaboration can help develop the local food economy.
Black Welsh Lamb said, “We thought Saturday’s event was a great chance to meet friends, neighbours and visitors while trying out some of the amazing produce from the Abergavenny area.
“We were blown away by the interest we had, the many great conversations and the chance to introduce lots of people to our hogget lamb.”
Leader of Monmouthshire County Council, Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby said, “We have a thriving and growing community of growers and producers in Monmouthshire and I am delighted we have the chance to come together to promote and celebrate them.
“The Spring Food Fair is all about buying local and supporting the community.
“Abergavenny is already synonymous with fabulous food events and this will no doubt add to the growing list of reasons to visit Monmouthshire.”
All Monmouthshire’s residents can help support our local farming, food and drink businesses. Even buying just one thing from a local business each week makes a real difference.
Look out for Shop Local posters around the county, and head over to www.foodmonmouthshire.co.uk for more information on how our businesses and communities are working together to support fairer, greener, healthier food and farming in a flourishing economy that benefits everyone.
