What precisely is this Collective Country Market ? The market
has been held on Saturdays only. Stalls are taken for a small fee by individuals or co-operative groups—of small holders, allotment-holders, Women's Institutes or whoever may please. Prices are based on a weeldy bulletin send out by the Ministry of Agriculture. Eight stalls were taken before the market started in May, and a coffee stall, which paid well, was added. The market manager over the group of stalls at East Grinstead finds a steadily, indeed a rapidly increasing demand for the produce from individual purchasers, and for what is left over at the end of the day from professional caterers in the town. It is already found that a wholesale branch is necessary for the full development of the scheme. It has been astonishing how quickly and thor- oughly the demand for fresh produce has increased production. One producer picked out 3,000 extra lettuces, children took up allotments, and new little industries, including watercress- growing, and the making of special cream cheeses came into being.
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