bolton market wins top award

Nov 24, 2011 Peter Rabbit Market News Comments Off on bolton market wins top award

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November 24, 2011, Bolton Council

Bolton Market has scooped a prestigious award for promoting healthy eating.

The market, on Ashburner Street, has been awarded the ‘5 a day Supporter of the Year’ at the annual Re:fresh Awards.

The awards recognise the cream of the UK fresh produce industry and the results were announced in a ceremony in London last week (May 19).

Bolton Market, which is renowned for its fruit and vegetable stalls, beat international competition from the likes of exporter Foods from Spain and wholesaler George Perry to win the award.

The market’s in-house cookery demonstration kitchen was recognised as an innovative way to encourage healthy eating.

Bolton Council was praised by the judges for its work with NHS Bolton. NHS Bolton community nutrition chef Joan Farnworth, along with school meals chef Philip Ogden, and celebrity chef Tom Bridge regularly use the kitchen, to encourage people to have their five-a-day portions of fruit and vegetables.

At the demos, shoppers can sample the dishes, pick up recipe cards and get tips about healthy eating.

The market, which has already been crowned the Best Indoor Market of the year y the National Association of British Market Authorities in 2010, has a growing reputation as the premier food market in the North West.

It boasts a number of famous fans including celebrity chefs Si King and Dave Myers from The Hairy Bikers; Thomasina Miers and Tom Bridge.

And last week a Danish delegation visited the market to get some ideas for a new indoor market in Copenhagen.

Bolton Council’s Executive Member for Environmental Services, Councillor Akhtar Zaman, said: “This award is a real credit to the market staff and the work we do with NHS Bolton. It’s great that we have chefs like Joan and other chefs who want to cook at the market regularly and pass on healthy eating tips in a fun way.

“The traders also have a large part to play as they create the friendly atmosphere and make the market a fantastic, easy place to shop. And best of all the public can pick up the produce at reasonable prices, fresh from the market.”

Lesley Jones, Deputy Director of Public Health, added: “Eating fresh, local produce is one of the healthiest things anyone can do. We are very lucky to have Bolton Market on our doorstep. Our partnership work with the council gives us an opportunity to give people advice on how to turn that great produce into tasty, healthy meals.”

More than 2.5 million people visit the market annually, which sells everything from fish to fabric, gifts and plants.

The indoor and outdoor market is open Tuesday and Thursday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. The car boot market is open Sunday, 7.30am to 2pm.

The council’s attendance at the event was sponsored by Marketplace Europe Ltd.

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• Bolton Market, celebrity chef, Market traders, Marketplace Europe Ltd, National Association of British Market Authorities, NHS Bolton, Tom Bridge