Originally launched as a small monthly event by Jasper Conran and the late Isabella Blow on 3rd July 1999, the market now runs weekly in the town centre and regularly attracts 50 or so stallholders, all selling their own home grown and home made produce, most from very close to Stroud.  Thousands of customers flock to the market every week, and it is now the biggest farmers market in the South West, bringing much trade into the town centre every week and contributing to Stroud’s renaissance as a successful market town, even in difficult economic times.  Initially supported by grant funding by Stroud District Council and Town Council and in kind support from Stroud Valleys Project, the market is now free from funding and pays a commercial rent for the venue, covering all its own costs from stall fees.  It one of the few farmers’ markets outside of London to run weekly and independently. 

Stroud based digital artist “Vietnam the Movie” has been working with market organisers to design new banners, postcards and shopping bags to celebrate 10 years of Stroud farmers market.   

The special “limited edition series” of market anniversary postcards and shopping bags will be available to the first few hundred customers on the day, and the new banners will adorn the Cornhill market place for the first time on Saturday 4th July. 

“Teddy” the Chalford Donkey will walk down to Stroud from the hill-top village to the market, arriving at around 11 am. Free balloons will be given out to children and Teddy the donkey will be collecting for the Chalford Donkey Project which has revived the old tradition of delivering groceries to homes in the village using the historic narrow donkey tracks. 

At 11 am, a cake baked especially by Hobbs House will be ceremonially cut by food writer, critic and market customer Matthew Fort, joined by Mayor of Stroud Andy Read and Chairman of Stroud District Council John Hudson.  

Stroud farmers market is one of a handful in the area to belong to the Farm Retail and Markets Association (FARMA) and is inspected and certified by FARMA as a genuine farmers market where customers can buy quality local food and drink direct from the producer.