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Thursday, 5 February 2026

First Food Shop of February (NOT a shopping haul - just shopping!)

 I needed eggs (preferably the bargain ones) and remembered that on Wednesdays there's a Country Market  in Eye Town Hall so two birds etc...........

The Country Market is individual makers joining together under the Country Markets Banner. Much smaller and cheaper than Farmers Markets. There used to be one in many towns but now just 4 in the whole of Suffolk. For many years I took produce and cards to Framlingham and before that Stowmarket and Saxmundham (all no longer running). Explanation from internet.............

Country Markets in the UK originated from the Women’s Institute (WI) market scheme, which began in 1919. Originally designed to allow members to sell surplus home-produced goods, these markets evolved into an independent, nationwide network of co-operative social enterprises while retaining their focus on locally made, baked, and grown produce.

Key Aspects of Country Markets (Formerly WI Markets):
  • Origin: Started as a WI initiative, often historically referred to as "W.I. Markets".
  • Produce: Markets feature home-baked goods, preserves, eggs, plants, and hand-crafted items.
  • Structure: They operate as a social enterprise where local producers sell directly to the public.
  • Locations: Held regularly in various towns and villages across the UK.

There were lots of elderly people (older than me!)buying the individual ready prepared meals - what a good idea. I couldn't get close enough to see what they were and ditto the jars of jams etc at the stand on the end of the tables.
While in Eye I 'shopped local' .Leeks from Country Market 60p (apart from Jerusalem (F)artichokes and butternut squash these were the only veg that anyone had brought in for sale). 4 burger baps from Co-op £1.80,  6  eggs from the roadside stall £1 and non food - Antiseptic cream from Chemist £2.49 and two cards (Granddaughter and Daughter in Law) from the Home Start charity shop £1 each.

If you are into sport on TV did you know that the Curling at the Winter Olympics started already -  it was on BBC i player at 6pm last night and several times today also some Ice Hockey. All before the Opening Ceremony on Friday evening. 



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13 comments:

  1. Anonymous5 February 2026 at 07:45

    That was a worthwhile trip by the sound of it. We still have some Country Markets in the area and I pop in sometimes to buy eggs or look at plants.
    Yippee, Winter Olympics are starting , much more interesting to me than summer ones. Rugby too!
    Penny

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    1. Sue in Suffolk5 February 2026 at 09:54

      Curling on TV again right now - I love any sport - except boxing and horse racing.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous5 February 2026 at 08:49

    That was a worthwhile trip and used to love visiting the WI markets when we were on holiday. I have been watching the curling as it’s a sport I enjoy. Catriona

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    1. Sue in Suffolk5 February 2026 at 09:53

      The Country Markets are gradually closing. Like everything there's a lack of younger people to run them

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  3. Bovey Belle5 February 2026 at 08:50

    We have a really excellent (but pricey) artisan type market in Hay. I am not up to paying £5 for a nice loaf of bread when I can make my own though! £3+ for a nice muffin or baked goods (ditto, mmo). Lovely fresh locally grown fruit and veg and superb cheeses, some of those pretty local too. Our local Farmers type market is very disappointing due to prices. The smallest jar of chutney - £3.50! If I could still make chutney (vinegar fumes prevent) I could make several pounds for that price.

    You were very frugal.

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    1. Sue in Suffolk5 February 2026 at 10:05

      The Farmers Markets are so posh around here - crazy prices but the Country Markets are running of of producers as they get older and retire

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  4. jabblog5 February 2026 at 13:30

    Curling is strangely hypnotic!

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    1. Sue in Suffolk5 February 2026 at 18:15

      One of those things which looks simple but isn't!

      Delete
  5. Susan5 February 2026 at 15:53

    WI Market to Country Market to Farmer's Market. It is an interesting history and shows an escalation of pricing.
    The same has happened in the US. At one time people grew veggies and fruit on their own property and sold from a table on the lawn. Everything was reasonably priced and delicious. A pay box sat on the table and buyers put their money in a simple lock box with a slot on the top. It was an honor system.
    The local backyard growers were encouraged to join the Farmer's Market and prices increased dramatically. Variety, quality and stock are not as good. I wonder what the profit margin is for the growers at the Farmer's Market.

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    1. Sue in Suffolk5 February 2026 at 18:16

      Selling at the gate is what we did for all our years on the smallholding, it meant some losses but we kept the prices down. I doubt it would work now

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  6. jeanie5 February 2026 at 19:42

    I am still giggling over here at a community called Eye - but that is the child in me! Our local big smoke has weekly markets of all sorts - some days you get bargains, others bitten.

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  7. Jackie5 February 2026 at 23:39

    I wish that we had things that we could purchase here from growers near us. Instead we still have snow on the ground even though today it has been melting.

    God bless.

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  8. Sharon6 February 2026 at 02:14

    The prices seem really reasonable too. I'd love to buy more local, but it seems sometimes the prices are way out of what I can pay. I really do need to think about growing a few bits myself.

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