Cllr Heather Caird, district council portfolio holder for environmental health, presented the award to Glasshouse Salads, of Batchmere, after visiting every stall at the Chichester, Midhurst and Petworth markets as a 'secret shopper'.

She said it was a tough decision to make. So many stallholders deserved top marks she had to extend the deadline and review the stalls for a further week before deciding on Glasshouse Salads.

"I looked for a stallholder who was involved with the product from its creation or growing, through to harvesting and packaging, and then to selling," added Cllr Caird.

"As a result I have become a farmers' market convert, and want everyone who does not shop there to know what they are missing. The great variety of produce is of wonderful quality, tip-top fresh, and good value for money."

Glasshouse Salads finally scooped the award because the stallholder refused to sell his entire stock of a particular product to a restaurateur, saying he must keep some for the other people who came to the market.

Chichester farmers' market is on the first and third Friday of the month, 9am to 2pm in North and East Street. The next takes place tomorrow.

Midhurst farmers' market alternates with the Petworth market on the fourth Saturday of each month. The next Midhurst market is on May 24, with Petworth on June 18, both trading from 8.30am to 1.30pm.

Anyone interested in joining the Farmers' Market Club should send their email address to market co-ordinator Pip Frederick


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