The new minister of state for farming and the environment, Jim Fitzpatrick, has backed markets throughout the UK in leading the country out of the recession.
The new DEFRA minister, who took over from Jane Kennedy following her resignation last month, praised the spirit, efficiency and choice offered by retail and wholesale markets, boasting knowledge in the field from his constituency of Poplar and Canning Town.
Fitzpatrick told delegates at the World Union of Wholesale Markets' London Retail Conference last week that markets had a key role to play in ensuring the year-round supply of food to the UK and driving the economy.
“There is a view that supermarket food is better and cheaper - this is a misconception and people are recognising that being healthy, sustainable and eating seasonal food when it is at its best, such as Cox apples in October or strawberries in the summer is the way to go,” he said.
“We know how vital markets can be for people up and down the country and they can give retailing in an area a real boost through the ripple effect, providing jobs, sales and genuine choice.”
A study by the National Farmers’ Union revealed that 80 per cent of neighbouring businesses saw a significant upturn in trade when situated near a market.
Fitzpatrick is set to visit New Covent Garden Market next month and believes it could prove key to London’s ongoing economy. “It is an outstanding market and it could well be the focus on London’s food economy and will be a destination in its own right in the future,” he said.
