Today's call for a weekly farmers' market in York is likely to attract widespread support. The idea has been floated by members of Soroptimist International, but they are not the only ones who will be keen. Given the present beleaguered state of farming, many local food producers would view it as a godsend.

Shoppers, too, are ready for such a venture. They have already shown their support for the farmers' market at Murton.

The reasons for its popularity are manifold. For a start, many consumers want to buy British, and on a farmers' market they can go a step further and buy Yorkshire. And local food means fresh food.

Such markets also evade the sometimes pernicious influence of supermarket bulk-buying, which can restrict consumer choice. Several traditional varieties of English apple, for example, have all but disappeared through the demand for high-volume crops. Specialised produce would be ideal for sale on a city centre stall.

Concerns have been expressed that a farmers' market would lose its special appeal if held every week. But this ought not to be considered primarily as a tourist venture - although it would undoubtedly be an added attraction to the city centre.

The market would be for residents first and foremost, and could only build up a viable customer base through its regular appearance. We know that the daily Newgate market in York is popular and the combination of two local markets should be a winner.

As long as food was sold at reasonable, non-tourist, prices, the restoration of the ancient link between local farmer and local market could be a success.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.