Putting MD on the foodie map!

For several years, the South of Shropshire has enjoyed a glowing reputation for its fine local produce, while the north of the county has gone relatively unnoticed.

But one Market Drayton woman is changing that.

Sharon Fox-Byrne, who runs @MDFarmersMarket, is putting north Shropshire firmly on the foodie map.

Sharon set the market up from scratch last Christmas on behalf of the Market Drayton Chamber of Trade, after becoming frustrated with trekking across the border to Nantwich to buy fresh produce.

"I've always enjoyed going to farmer's markets," says Sharon. "I prefer to spend that little bit extra to get quality food with a clear provenance."

The market now runs quarterly throughout the year in Market Drayton and has attracted huge crowds to the town each time.

"When we first set it up, we weren't sure how it would go," explains Sharon.

"But we took the plunge and booked the maximum number of stalls, and almost immediately, all 28 stalls were fully booked, and it's been like that ever since!"

Sharon says that because of their position in the centre of the town, it has been difficult to expand the market due to space, but this Christmas, Sharon has organised a road closure so that she can accommodate up to 50 stalls for local farmers, artisans and craft makers.

Almost all of the stallholders are based within a 25 mile radius of Market Drayton, and Sharon is keen to keep it as local as possible.

"We have wonderful beef, pork and lamb from Fordhall Farm, home-grown vegetables and handmade chutneys from Plants from the Past, bacon from the Buttercross Farm Shop, olives from Fareground and cupcakes from The Good Food Factory.

"We try to stick to one item per producer but there's so much variety – people can buy whatever they need for that evening's tea and for the rest of the week."

The response from visitors has been unprecedented, and Sharon says she's been delighted to see so many people from the town and surrounding villages attending the event.

"Last year we had a television crew come along to do a news piece and they couldn't get through the crowds!"

Sharon has been using Twitter to help spread the word about the market, and says it's been tremendously useful so far.

"I used to be a Facebook addict but now it's all about Twitter!

"We've had enquiries from stallholders through the site, and recently, when I was struggling to find some music for the next event, someone suggested the Wem Jubilee Brass Band, who will now be playing for us at the Christmas market."

She is also planning to organise a three-day event in the town next year, which she hopes will bring a lot of people to the town.

"Market Drayton has struggled with several local shops closing, so this would be a great boost for the economy."

* The markets always run on a Sunday and this year's Christmas market will take place on Sunday, December 13, from 10am to 2pm.

* For more information visit http://www.marketdraytonfarmersmarket.blogspot.com/

By Lara Page