IN reply to the borough council's recent and third letter relating to the proposed new Sainsbury's supermarket: I am writing to promote an alternative, the development and increased use of Tavistock Farmers' Market which, in conjuction with the pannier market and the ample shopping facilities already provided, is surely sufficient, and in keeping, to provide for our needs in this country market town.

To have such fresh and local produce available to us at a fair price, a supplement to our own garden produce, is indeed part of modern day celebration of sustainability right here in Tavistock. We are lucky to have a variety of individually produced goods, made with care and to a very high standard within the locality.

I myself have found discovering local food with a friend exciting, as it's interesting to try something new and a bit different — worth investigating and sampling. The kitchen table after market takes on a different look. No longer are we impressed and overloaded by excess packaging, preferring freshness and flavour.

I intend to go again to the market, recession permitting, as I have found most prices realistic, competitive and quite reasonable.

We need to produce a colourful leaflet to promote ­this sale of fresh local produce in Bedford Square on a Saturday morning and provide ample and nearby free parking for an hour or so as in other places such as Kendal, Callington or Pendeen.

Knowing one is supporting the local economy as well as reducing the ills of supermarket shopping and mass production such as the associated food wastage and excess packaging, to say nothing of cutting down on food mileage, is also a pleasure and of benefit.

We can encourage variety and freshness and flavour in our choice of seasonal produce by use of our local farmers' market on a Saturday, thereby maintaining our identity, our image as a market town, our reputation — sustainability included — and our future provision of enjoyable and worthwhile shopping experiences within Tavistock.

After all the large Sainsbury's store in Plymouth is not so far away for a shop every now and then.

Susan Wallace

Downlea

Tavistock