(Message from the team that runs the Farmers' Market)

"Cheryl collected the award in Edinburgh last week and we're pleased and delighted for everyone at the market; farmers, producers and you who shop there. It's your local market and your enthusiasm and passion was evident to the judges who said:

 'This is a farmers' market that's alive with a passion for food! It connects with its customers through conversation, great good humour and an infectious generosity of spirit.'

Thank you for shopping and supporting the market through rain or shine, we hope we continue to see you at market over the next few years. The award, a giant hand-cast bell, will come to the market soon, we'll let you know!

As you may have noticed, the cold weather is well upon us. Well done to the large number of you who braved the cold to make it out to market last weekend.

Of course this means that the farmers have a tough job on their hands - roads into London are more treacherous, and some of the more heat-reliant vegetables are halted by the frost.

On a positive note however, for many of the winter varieties, flavour is improved quite noticeably by this cold patch - the frost and snow break down the fibres in a lot of root vegetables, really enhancing their flavour. Perry Court Farm in Kent have contacted us to note that their root veg is tasting fantastic when picked at this time of year, and the same obviously holds true for the produce of the other veg farmers at the market. Often-overlooked winter veg such as swede, turnip, spring greens, cabbage, kale, spinach, chard, parsnip, celeriac, onion and leek are really bursting with taste during this cold spell.

If you are looking for some inspiration in cooking up winter veg, you could check out some of the recipes written by food blogger Shu Han Lee - see here - who cooks up some interesting recipes from the produce she finds at Farmers' Markets this time of year. Some very interesting suggestions on there for cabbage and swede at the moment, which are far from bland!

A couple of other notes looking further forward:

Suffolk fisherman Chris Wightman (aka Maximus Sustainable Fishing) will be absent this weekend, but he hasn't forgotten about you and will be back on the 26th March. Dorset fish will be available still from the good folk at the Handpicked Shellfish Company.

Date for your diary: we will be holding this year's Queen's Park Plant Fair at the Farmers' Market on the 6th May - a selection of specialist nurseries from around the South of England will attend. Watch this space..."

Queen's Park Farmers' Market - every Sunday 10am-2pm in Salusbury School. Salusbury Road NW6