UPDATE! See the abso fabbo recipes du month from the head chef at Hengist Restaurant,

We are hoping the Asparagus might burst forth and be righteously ripe and will recipe du jour it as soon as we know. (It’ll be roast Asparagus. It’s the best way. With black pepper and parmesan. St Delia of Cookingham told me so, all close and personal like.)

This month our charity stall is the Demelza Trust, which is a children’s Hospice in Kent. If we get sunshine at the market lets spread it a bit further, huh?

OK. See you Sunday. Oh, The Country Park is looking stunning at the moment, great for a country walk after lunch, after market….

Among the many stalls of fine produce is Jenny’s stall:

“Jenny will be selling Ham from Farmer Palmer Products.  Graham and Miranda Palmer of Burnt House Farm, Smarden, situated in the Low Weald of Kent, specialise in the production of quality beef, lamb and pork for local consumption. The Aberdeen Angus breed produces marbled, succulent beef that is matured for a minimum of three weeks. Likewise, the Romney lamb, Kent’s native sheep, is held in high esteem around the world and the Berkshire and Saddleback pig produces pork second to none.
These breeds are ideally suited to our non-intensive farming practices. The entire farm consists of permanent pasture, much of which is managed under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. This involves non-usage of artificial fertilisers and sprays, alongside the renovation and planting of hedgerows and substantial pond clearance. These practices encourage an increase in flora and fauna on the farm and in the surrounding environment.

Animal welfare is a priority. We believe in happy, healthy animals that have the freedom to behave naturally. No growth promoters or in feed antibiotics are used.

Their Ham is cured each week and sold at the weekend, and is of superb quality”

That’s this weekend, for the finest Ham in Kent. Be early.

Now, lets see:

Stall holders win Gold award at the World Cheese Championships. That’ll be our regular stars Winterdales then. Well done!

And the Telegraph and Sarah Raven (of BBC’s Gardeners World) have praised Rapkyns for their great and unusual selection of late flowering perennials. Thats the Rapkyns who are also regulars here.

So, please, come and share in the very best that Kent has to offer, great cheeses, great food, fantastic plants, and more.

Bigger, better and farmier than ever before.

Lots of award winning wine, loads of farm fresh seasonal vegetables and fruit, meat, bread, and more! See you there!

The Good News, 1
The Guides last month raised £240 for Save the Children. Due to this success we are now offering:

• a free pitch at each market for a local charity, organisation or group.
• This can be used for raising funds or just raising profile.

Any interested parties should contact steve@westmallingfarmersmarket.co.uk or 07876 685853.

The Good News, 2
The market  seems to be beating the credit crunch at the moment, all producers and local shop keepers are reporting increased sales over the last three months. So West Malling is bucking the trend, lets keep it on a roll, and show ‘em.

The Good News, 3
Kent cherries have been early and fantastic this year. The good news is that there will be some at this weekend’s market, (July 26th), but they will be the last of this seasons. If you want some of this wonderful fruit , (you do, really,  they are so good this year), please get to the market early as they will sell out.

Good luck, see you there.