Green day for Covent Garden

Farmers and food lovers will descend on Covent Garden piazza today for a colourful show of support for the beleaguered rural community.

After the devastating effects of foot and mouth on the countryside, the Food Lovers' Fair will stake its pitch in the capital as a reminder that farmers are struggling to survive.

More than 100 speciality food producers will travel to Covent Garden, bringing their home-made goods to London; from sausages and ice creams to ales and chutneys.

Champagne bars, music and expert cooking advice from Fat Lady Clarissa Dickson Wright will dominate the square for three days. Also appearing will be chefs Alistair Little, Sue Lawrence and James Martin, the face of Ready, Steady, Cook.

The farmers' showcase, the third of its kind, is the brainchild of food writer Henrietta Green, who wrote the award-winning Food Lovers' Guide to Britain. She says it's time the public realised the power of the purse and supported struggling farmers who, still recovering from foot-andmouth, now face a possible recession.

Miss Green, who has travelled the country in search of good food producers, said: "If our countryside is going to survive, we should buy British. That would also get the message to big stores who would be more inclined to stock produce from the smaller farmer who may need help.

"We are delighted that so many producers are able to come to the fair, after a very difficult year for Britain's small food producers. It is a great opportunity to demonstrate our support for the countryside."

Miss Green will be on hand to share cooking techniques, using recipes from her latest book, Henrietta Green's Farmers' Market Cookbook.

A spokeswoman for the fair added: "The fair is a celebration of the survival of Britain's small speciality farmers, growers and producers. We chose Covent Garden because it is so central and is market-based. It should provide a fun day out for everyone."

The first general farmers' market opened in Islington three years ago. With a glowing endorsement from the Prince of Wales, they are gaining a higher profile. Weekly markets also exist in Blackheath, Ealing, Islington, Notting Hill, Palmers Green, Peckham, Swiss Cottage, Twickenham, Uxbridge, Wandsworth and Wimbledon Park.