OXFORD’S farmers’ markets have joined forces to help promote the benefits of local grub.

Six community-run markets have formed Oxford Community Markets to work more closely together and share ideas. It has a website and booklet to promote the markets and is looking at buying produce together to save cash Those taking part are: Wolvercote and North Oxford Market; East Oxford Farmers and Community Market; South Oxford Farmers and Community Market; The Leys Community Market; Sandford Market and Cultivate’s Veg Van.

Judy Chipchase of South Oxford Market, said: “Less than one per cent of the food consumed in Oxford is produced locally. We are changing this by offering people local food for their weekly shop.

“We want more people in the city to join in and start enjoying the fantastic food produced in the fields, bakeries and kitchens in and around our city.”

Last year Oxford’s first farmer’s market in Wolvercote celebrated it 10th birthday.

Sandford-on-Thames market, set up in 2011, is the city’s newest.

East Oxford Farmers’ and Community Market started in 2006 and was a finalist in the BBC Food and Farming Awards two years ago.

Organiser Helen Hewlett said: “We believe our markets offer a fair price to consumers and to farmers.

“These days many of us are concerned about knowing exactly what is in our food and where it comes from – at farmers’ markets you can ask the guy who raised the cow and the woman who made the cheese directly.

“Shopping at our markets means supporting the local economy, reducing your carbon footprint, getting to know your neighbours and being able to buy the best food our area has to offer.”

  • The group has been supported by the Plunkett Foundation and by Oxfordshire Community Action Groups. Visit ocmarkets.org.