Browse online at the Virtual Farmers Market

IF YOU can't make it to your local farmers' market each week you might consider browsing online at a 3D Virtual Farmers' Market (VFM).

Producers from the South West have joined more than 40 other small producers from around the UK to form a Virtual Famers' Market in cyberspace.

Using the latest games technology, the site allows people to 'stroll around' a 3D farmers' market world, where they can 'meet' the people that produce their food and drink via video streams and buy produce from the comfort of their own home, with a Virtual Farmer helping to guide them around.

The video streams that have been put together by the individual producers allow you to find out how your food and drink has been made, meet the face behind it all and listen to their stories. Unlike with ordinary online shopping, the VFM allows you to virtually 'walk' around the farmers' market and 'visit' the individual stalls, just like you would at a real life farmers' market.

Local producers taking part include Rod and Bens Soup from Exeter; Sharpham Park from Somerset; Cornish Cheese; South Devon Chilli Farm and Luscombe Organic Drinks from Devon.

Founder, Marcus Carter said: "Seeing the face behind the food is more important today than it has ever been. To be able to connect remotely by using the internet, with the people who make what we eat, enables consumers to get a sense of trust before buying."

Visit: www.vfmuk.com.