BSE, salmonella, GM foods, pesticides - food has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons. We're buying more and more food from supermarkets, and less and less from the farmer's gate. But it's not always easy to find out about the origins of food sold in large supermarket chains - and with people becoming more concerned about what they're eating, alternative ways of buying food have sprung up.  | The lovely ladies on the Doncaster WI Market stall were selling jams, cakes, chutneys and crafts. |
And so I decided to head to Doncaster one Wednesday to find out about farmers markets, a grass-roots movement which aims to bring local, fresh, seasonal produce direct to people in towns and cities. So why is it that farmers markets, like box schemes and organic food, are becoming increasingly popular? Peter Cook, who sells plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables, is based in Selby. He explained their appeal. "People like it because they're buying direct from the grower. They can ask questions about the produce - what it is, how it's grown. "I get a lot of repeat business because they like the stuff I sell and because it's so fresh. These carrots were pulled up last night - I had a trailer full this morning, but they've nearly all gone now."  | Gerald and some of the 300 packs of sausages he was selling |
Gerald, from Highwood Farm in Doncaster, brings beef, pork, bacon and sausages to the market. He explained the benefits of coming to a farmers market in a town centre. "We have a farm shop, but it's a bit out of the way," he said "This is another way of getting our produce to people - it's another outlet for us. "We do quite a few farmers' markets. People like it 'cause they're sick of the rubbish on sale in supermarkets. They like to know where their food comes from, that it's natural and reared properly. "We have lots of regular customers - today I'll sell about 300 packs of sausages." And it's not just about buying food. Elaine Thompson is a community food educator for the Doncaster Royal Infirmary. She has a stall once a month where she shows people how to cook traditional foods in a more healthy way.  | Elaine shows people how they can eat good food more healthily |
"I give out free recipes, and people can try the food that I make during my demonstrations. It's about educating people, so that they can enjoy their food while trying to ensure it's good for their health." Lorna Fox is the daughter of a farmer, and she's married to one too. She is passionate about local, natural, in season produce. She said, "It's about getting people to taste traditional English country food, as opposed to processed food. The taste of produce when it's in season is so much more fulfilling than when it's forced. Take an English tomato grown in the summer - it's so much better than one grown in January. "The food we sell has more flavour, because it's in season. It has no additives, colourings or preservatives.  | Lorna and some of the vegetables and chutney she sells |
She explained why the farmers' market works for her. "For us, it was a way of diversifying - and bringing good food to others. "There's a big demand for locally sourced produce, sold by the person who makes it, so people can ask questions. And we love helping people appreciate it." The produce at the markets depends on the time of year. "Today I brought apples and green beans - they went straight away! At other times of the year, we bring rhubarb, winter vegetables and so on. I also make shortbread, gingerbread, jellies and chutneys."  | Chris likes to know where her food comes from |
The people shopping at the farmers market echoed the views of the farmers themselves. Chris, who was buying produce for her family including baby Nathaniel, said, "I came here by chance today, but I like fresh farm stuff. I like to know where it comes from. It's also fun to have a look around." And Chris Northern, who used to keep hens on her allotment, comes for eggs and meat. She said, "I really notice the difference in taste, particularly with eggs and meat. You can tell with steak and sausages - for one thing, with sausages, you don't end up with a panful of fat when you cook them." The market certainly seemed popular with the Doncaster folk.  | Ann buys some eggs from the Grayson brothers |
The eggs sold by brothers Richard and Edward Grayson from Nether Haugh Farm in Rotherham were going so quickly that I couldn't catch a word with them, and though I arrived at lunchtime, many of the seasonal vegetables on sale at other stalls had been snapped up. It's not just produce on sale, though. The Doncaster WI Markets stall had an amazing array of jams, marmalades, cakes and biscuits on sale, as well as craft items. And on the Wildwood stall, Brian explained how their work recycles wood and provides training and employment for people in the Bentley area. "We take people off the dole and train them to NVQ standards," said Brian. "We've been running for about 5 years, and we have about 30 people working with us at any one time. The majority of the wood we use is reclaimed, except for the wood we use for fencing and bigger jobs like that."  | Chris (l) and Brian from the Wildwood project which trains people in woodwork |
"Markets like this help us let people know about our project. They can buy the things we make, and find out about how we can help them." And in my opinion, there's something really wholesome about knowing and meeting the people who produce what you're eating. I can reveal that Anne Ashley's gingerbread is gloriously sticky, that Mrs Brownley's lemon curd is superb, that Lorna Fox's shortbread is unbelievably moreish. The eggs and carrots I took home were really fresh and the bacon and sausages were delicious. Farmers markets might not be as convenient as shopping at a 24 hour supermarket, especially for people in full time work, but they are an alternative. And though my pocket was lighter when I headed home, the prices were comparable to those charged by the supermarkets, too - but the money all goes into the pockets of local farmers and therefore back into the local economy. And that, perhaps, is the most satisfying aspect of all. - Greedy Cow | 
