Anyone over the age of 16 can become a producer.We have a wide variety of producers, from those who make a few jars of jam, to those who bake delicious cakes and savoury snacks, or knit beautiful baby clothes, or grow dozens of excellent plants and shrubs.

If you have a particular skill and items that are suitable to sell and you would like to earn a little cash, come along and see us. It may be that you are a dab hand at sponge cakes or you have a surplus of fruit and vegetables, or maybe you would just like to be a helper.

You will become a Registered Producer of Alton Friday Market Ltd.The items that you offer for sale will be competitively priced and producers are paid monthly for the goods they have sold, minus a small commission which covers running costs, hire of hall etc.

Although much of what is produced is left to the personal choice of the individual, we are governed by a Market Constitution which regulates the manufacture, labelling and packaging of the items which we offer for sale in our market.

The Market Controller ensures that these regulations are adhered to as we are selling to the general public and we must comply with the laws on food handling, packaging, labelling etc. in the same way as any other retailer.

If you are a food producer, whether it be sausage rolls or pickled onions, you must hold the basic foundation certificate in food hygiene and handling. Local colleges hold one day training courses, or the certificate may be obtained through an on-line training course.

Most of the packaging, labels, potlids etc. that you require, may be purchased through the market.If you would like to know more, come along to the Alton Methodist Church Hall any Friday morning and see what we make and sell. We will be happy to advise you on what to do and explain everything to you.