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Food lovers unite

Henrietta Green has been championing simple, well-made quality produce for 20 years. Each year, during the first weekend of November, she invites everyone to celebrate good food at her Food Lovers' Fair

Henrietta Green is an award-winning food and consumer affairs journalist who has dedicated her life to improving the British culinary scene. An ardent supporter of small specialty-food producers, Henrietta has pushed for the revival of the traditional farmers' market and is responsible for the Food Lovers' Fair, a yearly celebration of the best of British specialty farmers, growers and producers.

iVillage spoke with Henrietta about her latest book, The Farmers' Market Cookbook, and her unending campaigns to improve the quality of British food. Click here to try some recipes from her book, then read on to find out why you should head down to Covent Garden this weekend

Why did you establish the Food Lovers' Fairs?
'My main goal was to give the public far greater access to speciality food producers from Britain. I've championed them for over 20 years and I firmly believe that once their produce has been sampled, everyone will understand what quality, individuality and taste is all about. If the producers don't find a market, they won't survive. Quite simply, the Fairs help them find their market.'

So can anyone sell their produce at your Fairs?
'No - the Fairs are unique in that they're the only ones to operate a strict quality policy. I personally vet all the producers. The criteria are sustainable farming practices, traceable husbandry, "proper" methods and "proper" ingredients and, of course, excellent taste.

'I aim to find producers for the Fairs who truly represent the best of British. I ask all producers to attend so that the public can ask the questions they want to ask.'

What's on offer at the next Food Lovers' Fair?
'At Covent Garden this year, you'll find over 100 producers (111, actually), so you can see how the movement has grown. This is particularly significant because, as everyone knows, it's been a difficult year for Britain's small food producers, what with the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease. The Fair itself is a tremendous boost for the industry, and a great opportunity for townsfolk to lend their support to the countryside.

'There will be a Food Lovers' Fair Demonstration Theatre where several of London's chefs and cookery writers will be preparing recipes - using only produce they find at the Fair. Also new this year is a Producers' Guide that has been sponsored by Food from Britain - a welcome initiative.'

Entrance to the Food Lovers' Fair at Covent Garden Market, London WC2, is free. Opening times:
Friday 2nd November 2001: 11am to 7pm
Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th 2001: 10am to 7.30pm

For more information, call 020 8969 0866 or visit www.foodloversfairs.com

To order your copy of Henrietta Green's The Farmers' Market Cookbook at the special price of £10.99 each, including posting and packaging, please call 020 7692 7221.

Alternatively, send a cheque, made payable to Kyle Cathie Ltd, together with your name, address and telephone number, quoting ref: FMIV, to: Kyle Cathie Ltd, 112 Arlington Road, London, NW1 7HP.

Henrietta Green's Farmers' Market recipes

• Wild Mushroom and Butter Bean Soup
  
• Venison Steaks with Juniper
  
• Pear Batter Cake

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