HAMPSHIRE Farmers’ Markets’ most influential audience, the public, have voted for their favourite stallholders.

There are a wide range of suppliers who sell their locally sourced produce at Hampshire Farmers’ Markets regular venues across the county including Winchester, Alton and Petersfield, as well as food festivals at Hamble and the Alresford Watercress Festival.

Hampshire Farmers’ Markets business manager Alex Handford said: “We would like to thank the public for taking the time to vote. It proves our customers want to see our producers rewarded for the exceptional, food, drink and other products they create and sell.

“Also, well done to our producers who have gained so many votes from their customers, in recognition of their hard work and commitment to creating the best and most innovative products.

“They are always thinking of new and different things to present to our market visitors that they could not find in the supermarkets.

“Their dedication gets them up early every weekend day to travel to our markets, giving them the chance to connect directly with their customers.”

The awards were presented to the winning producers by food writer Penny Ericsson, whose recent book Meats, Eats, Drinks and Leaves celebrates the diversity and excellence of produce from Hampshire and the Isle of White.

The book is foreworded by celebrity TV chef Angela Hartnett. Penny is also the author of The Chemo Cookery Club book and is a cancer charity campaigner.

The award winners were:

* Best Food to Take Away – Bowtell’s Farm Shop

* Best Food Product – Ambrose Sausages

* Best Personality – Mike Smales of Lyburn Cheese

* Best Drinks Producer – Hill Farm Apple Juice

The awards were presented at a special dinner at the Brookfield Hotel, Emsworth, in September.

Hampshire Farmers’ Markets is proud to be enabling local producers to nurture their businesses from fledgling start-ups that develop into larger viable businesses.

“Buying local not only helps the local economy, but local jobs as well, keeps food miles down and protects the environment. Our stallholders also really enjoy the direct contact with our market customers, who also have the chance to talk to the producers and to sample the wide range of foods on offer,” said Mr Handford.