Lorna Jackson, organiser of Saltburn Farmers' Market, hopes for more success

FROZEN to the spot and at the mercy of an Arctic blast's icy grip, Lorna Jackson could have been forgiven for regretting her latest venture.

Huddling for warmth while a blizzard angrily swirled past, she had just launched the first Saltburn Farmer's Market amid bone-chilling Easter temperatures.

It may have been a slightly inauspicious start with some customers put off by the cold, but Lorna is made of sterner stuff and shrugged off those dark clouds, worked hard, and six years on has catapulted the farmers' market into a glowing beacon of locally-sourced food in the North-East.

From its humble beginnings, the monthly market, in Saltburn, east Cleveland, now attracts nearly 10,000 people, with mother-of-two Lorna hoping for continued success.

Lorna, who is a partner in her family-run business, Real Meals Deli, in Saltburn, said: “It was so cold back in 2008, we thought we would freeze if we didn’t keep moving, but we thought we had something special, and were determined to make it work.

“We could feel in our bones that last year was just getting busier and busier as it went along, and we are confident we helped about 100,000 people come into the town last year.

Such is the market's success, traders now have to sign up to a waiting list before they can show off their produce to customers.

Lorna studied ecology at university before working as a farm manager in White Waltham, near Maidenhead.

But she is a North-East girl and knows all about a seaside town's unique fabric after picking up pocket money in her younger days by helping to run beach donkey rides.

She said the market was catering for consumers' precise needs, but revealed its origins were not so straightforward.

She said: “The organisers of a folk festival approached us and asked if we would mind if there was a market.

“We had no problem at all, because, if anything, it was only going to increase awareness of good food.

“We were then approached about a month later and asked if we wanted to run the market for them as a one-off.

“It was extremely successful and someone who runs a Christmas celebration then approached us to do a market for that.

“From that point, the market has grown and grown, and it creates such a nice feeling and liveliness in the town.

“People have an appetite for how their food is produced and who is producing it, and those queries are answered instantly by the farmers' market.

“It is like a theatre on the High Street, it is an exciting and vibrant place to be and people are swept up by that.”

Lorna said there has been a spiked increase after the horsemeat scandal, with customers more eager than ever to find out about their food.

She said: “The markets could not be more topical at the moment because of people's desire and need to know where their food is coming from but also exactly what it is.

“That is part of the reason the markets have grown, and that point is made even more clearer when you see how television chefs like Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall have brought important food issues, such as pig rearing and chicken farming into focus.

“The market is great for giving people the information they want and that has been reflected in its success.”

The market returns on Saturday, March 9, and organisers also hope to stage a food festival in August, with Lorna excitedly looking to the future.

She said: “I love the markets and the deli, there is such a good mix of work, but one of the best parts is choosing the products, we taste test our meats, cheeses and salamis, which is fantastic.

“But I also enjoy the customer relationship side of the business, engaging with people and talking to them because we have such a great mix of customers.”

“We wanted to get the appetite for food, rather than squash it, and we have.

“Once you get people trying and liking something, they never go back.”

Favourite North-East building and why? I am a real fan of the Angel of The North. It’s iconic, it will weather well and it’s a great statement, full of hope and excitement for the future. I would love to see some of Gormley’s work on the beach in Saltburn.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid? I had lots of jobs while at school and University, selling ice creams at the beach cafe, working on the donkey rides for candy floss, and waitressing in hotels. But my first real job was as a farm manager in Berkshire. I can't remember what I got paid - but I was given a farm cottage, access to incredible food and a chef!

What is the worst job you've had? Working for an information gathering company in Stokesley. I had to cold call companies and see how much information I could get from them before they put the phone down.

The pay was based on the quality and quantity of information you squeezed out of people, and I had a script set in stone that I couldn't veer off. The manager sat in a glass office at the end of the open work space listening in to us. I lasted one summer.

What would you cook for me if I came around for dinner? Steamed Scottish Crevetes with a lime and chilli sauce. Served with lots of French bread and I guess you would bring the wine?

What would your superpower be? I would like to have more time to do everything I love, so perhaps I could make time stop every now and then – get a few things done and then start it up again and enjoy.

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party. Prince Charles – not because I am a Royalist but because I like his views on organic farming; Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy at City University London; my partner Craig, and Victoria Wood to make us all laugh. It’s a real bore but I love talking food, farming and where we are going in this country with food policies.

Most expensive thing you've bought - other than car or house - and how much? When I was about 22 I went to the bank manager for a three thousand pound loan. I had this idea that I could buy a lorry, convert it and live in it. He leant me the money but said he was glad I wasn't his daughter! I bought the lorry and lived very happily in it for three years before coming to Saltburn. Other than that I have never really bought any expensive possessions. Although I have got a robotic hoover – that's a bit of a luxury – when it works!

Who is the best person to follow on Twitter and why? I know I should but I don't follow it.

Favourite book? It is hard to pick just one. I'm reading Milan Kundra – Life is Elsewhere at the moment and loving it. Helps me remember to enjoy life here and now.

When did you last cry? Probably yesterday – I am always crying. Anything sad or happy just makes me weep. I took the children to see Parental Guidance after Christmas and it made me cry because they were all so happy.

What is your greatest achievement? It’s my two lovely girls, Eirinn, nine, and Florence, three. They continually surprise me by how lovely they are, they make me so proud.

What's the best piece of advice in business you've ever been given? Be true to your beliefs and there is no such thing as a mistake so long as you learn from it.

Favourite animal and why? We only have one pet – Snowy the Guinea Pig so it will have to be him. He's very noisy and always seems to chat to us when we are eating – we have had him for six years now – he was the first 'thing' my eldest daughter ever bought!

Most famous person on your mobile phone? It must be my brother’s girlfriend. She got Alex Ferguson to autograph a photo for her sister’s wedding present so she must be famous.

What was the last band you saw live? Jools Holland and his Orchestra at Middlesbrough Town Hall. What a fantastic night. Paul Simon came on and the whole place erupted – dancing and singing in the aisles.

Describe your perfect night in. Doors locked, phones off. Home made pizza, red wine and a film with the family.

In another life I would be... a very quiet and reserved person. Maybe living a self-sufficient life in a field somewhere.

Who would play you in a film of your life? It would have to be Victoria Wood. I would love to be able to make people laugh like she does.

What irritates you? Loud chewing and sloppy walking, especially when I am tired.

What's your secret talent? I'm very good at cartwheeling on the beach. I used to back flip but these days I keep falling on my head so have given it up.