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Saffron Walden Sustainable Food MarketAnalysis of survey resultsWho took part?176 visitors to the Sustainable Uttlesford stand at the Saffron Walden Food Fair on Saturday 7 Sunday 26/27 July 2008 and 5 online survey submissions: of these 112 gave their contact details and requested to be kept informed. The data from this group was examined separately from the data from 69 who chose not to leave contact details. Will the market be used?Yes: 80% of the “keep me informed” group anticipate shopping at the market weekly and over 90% at least monthly. Of the rest, 0ver 65% will use the market each week and over 90% at least once a month. Which day should it be?SATURDAY. An overwhelming proportion of both groups had this as their first choice day with Sunday and Tuesday in poor second and third places. The strength of preference for the day is much greater than the preference for place. Where should it be held?Ideally in the Market Square, with the Common a strong second and the Town Hall acceptable. What type of food do you want?LOCAL: a clear top choice for both groups, with organic, fairtrade, and “sold by the producer” fairly equal seconds [organic slightly ahead]. The importance of price was the least important for the “keep me informed” group but about equal with the other categories for group not leaving their names. Many people commented verbally that the choice was difficult because it would depend what they were buying (“I don’t mind non-local bananas but I would like organic ones”) Could you help?Unsurprisingly, the group that did not leave contact details did not anticipate being able to join a group to help get things started. The “keep me informed” group seem likely to be able to supply enough volunteers to get things moving: 16 would certainly join a “Saffron Walden Market Group” if one is formed and a further 55 would possibly do so. Of these five would be willing to help run the group and 41 would consider doing so. What sort of traders?The survey was designed to measure support for a food market not a “farmers & craft” market like the existing village farmers markets and like the Food Fair itself. Interestingly, several craft stall holders expressed a strong wish to have a chance of getting stalls at the proposed market whereas non-stall holders often commented “we want a proper food market not a load of expensive stalls for tourists”. The organiser of the Food Fair said he thought getting the sort of stallholders we want will be a challenge. It seems likely that the market group will have to run its own fresh fruit/vegetable and sustainable dry foods stalls and not rely on finding existing traders to provide an acceptable service ConclusionThere is a big enough demand for the market and people willing to help make it happen What nextSustainable Uttlesford should have some preliminary discussions with the Town Council and a small selection of other interest groups to discuss the best way forward. Then a public meeting should be called (to which all those who left contact details will get personal invitations) to launch a “Saffron Walden Sustainable Market Working Group” David Corke Sustainable Uttlesford 30 July 2008
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