One Sunday morning in Brixton

When I lived in Brixton, many years ago, Saturday lunchtimes would often find us in Franco's pizzas in the market. You had to be quick, as the place was tiny with about four tables inside and as many on the outside. The pizzas were superb though, and worth the wait. We shopped at the markets too, and at the fruit and veg stalls on Electric Avenue which as now, buzzed with life.

Fast forward and Franco's has morphed into Franco Manca, literally, Franco's gone. Luckily for the citizens of Brixton the replacement is just as good if not better. Not so good is that word is out and people come from far and wide to eat there. Franco Manca's is one of the businesses that has championed the opening of Brixton Village market on Sundays.

When we opened the Brixton farmers' market in September 2009 we had a warm welcome, but there was very little going on on Sundays in Brixton. Some shops were open, as were some of the butchers and grocers on Electric Avenue.

I viewed the Brixton farmers' market as joining a family of markets in the neighbourhood. We wanted to offer something differerent to the traditional street market and at the same time work together to keep people supporting market traders. The farmers' market could still do with being better known, but on the positive side, there are many lovely and regular customers, coming each week to buy what's in season.

One and a half years later, cafes have opened on Brixton Station Road and a couple of shops have opened on Sunday, driven by the increased footfall. And over in Brixton Village, there's been a flush of restaurants, interesting shops, cafes and delis bringing new life to a previously unused area. Every restaurants and cafe on the couple of reclaimed market streets was packed with people.

Some say that their presence is changing the identity of Brixton. I'd say that Brixton has an extremely strong identity, and there's room for everyone. I hope that rents in Brixton Village remain affordable; it would be a shame to see such energy driven out and replaced by chains.

Over on Brixton Station Road, we have great local managers who've encouraged our farmers and producers to take the Brixton £, great news for the area as it keeps curency circulating in Brixton. At the time of writing we have a south coast fisherman joining the market from the end of the month. Fish has been wanting for ages, so I hope that Danny and his catch are well received. There's a growing Facebook page where people can comment on their purchases and we can put up news; today Emily wrote about the ever so early Discovery apples on Perry Court Farm's stall.

I talked to a woman sitting outside the brilliant Federation Coffee in Brixton Village. She and her partner shopped at the farmers' market at the farmers' market every week. She buys at the farmers' market, and shops on Electric Avenue and in the covered markets. As she said, she loves the farmers' market for the freshness and seasonality, and she loves Brixton market for the choice of imported produce.

Perry Court Farm carrots

Akiki Farm garlic

DJ Tanner loganerries, raspberries

We're lucky to have two biodynamic farms at the market; Akiki Organics, and Brambletye. Akiki from Worcester are a mixed farm with a brilliant selection of salad leaves, vegetables, soft fruit, jams and eggs. They're also the only farm I know growing jostaberries commercially. If you've never tried one, a jostaberry is a cross between a blackcurrant and a gooseberry with the resulting tangy taste you'd expect.

Brambletye are part of the 40 year old Tablehurst farm, from East Sussex. Run by five young enthusiastic farmers, they care for their orchards and the very free ranging chickens which roam about. When I visited the farm, hens followed us everywhere around the orchard, and seemed not only to be curious, but remarkable in their energy and tenaciousness!

At this time of year they're bringing eggs and deep red gooseberries

We also have vegetables, fruit and flowers from Manor Farm in Lincolnshire and fruit and vegetables from Perry Court farm in Kent. Something for everyone at all prices.

Boarstall farm from Bedfordshire sometimes bring goat meat. Animal Farm will bring anything from turkey eggs to suckling pig....

market shopping

I love Brixton; I miss living there, and I hope that the very unique mix of cultures which is the lifeblood of its markets continues to thrive.

Lambeth Council don't have any money to spend on the market. We have no power supply for example. They need to promote them, be proud of their markets and support the traders who add such a unique flavour to Brixton.

Wild Country Organics

Perry Court Farm Kent cherries