In celebration of national Love Your Local Market fortnight, 15- 29 May, here is a pick of some of Hackney’s best.

Watch this short film showing some of the borough's markets in action:

Hackney Homemade Market
This local market in the heart of Hackney provides a lovely environment for people to come together to shop, eat, chat and relax.  Set in the beautiful churchyard which surrounds the St John at Hackney Church, the market is home to a variety of Hackney's homegrown talent who cook, bake, grow and sew their individual wares and fare.  Stalls vary from vintage clothes sellers to farm producers as well as street food specialists selling global grub including Japanese curries, fusion wraps merging Mexican and Indian cultures and homemade salt beef.  The market also offers members of the community, particularly disadvantaged young people, the chance to work on a stall to improve their confidence and skills set.
 
Every Saturday 11am - 5pm
St John at Hackney Churchyard, E5
More info: www.hackneyhomemade.com

Ridley Road
Possibly the country’s most international market, Ridley Road has been host to a thriving East End market since the beginning of the 20th century.  Stallholders sell food from all over the world from day-to-day groceries at bargain prices to delicacies from around the world, with Afro-Caribbean food being a particular draw to the market.  The sights, smells and sounds of market reflect the rich mix of cultures of the people who work and shop here. Some its highlights include a 24-hour bagel bakery, the sound of reggae music, exotic produce, colourful fabric stalls, and a well-stocked Turkish supermarket.

Monday to Thursday - 6am-6pm, Friday to Saturday - 6am-7pm
Ridley Road, E8  
For more info: www.hackney.gov.uk/ridley-road-market

Chatsworth Road
Since its rejuvenation in 2010, Chatsworth Road Market continues to grow with new stalls selling a variety of goods popping up each week. Its delicious selection of street food sits alongside raw ingredients to make your own special dishes.  Grab lunch from one of the stalls or there’s plenty of cafés and restaurants lined along the market which dish up freshly cooked, seasonal grub too.  Visitors will also find jewellery, gifts, vintage clothing and homewares at this well-loved local market. A great place to shop, eat, meet friends or entertain the kids. On the 19 and 26 May Bubble Bob (bubble maker) will be appearing and face painting will be on offer too.

Every Sunday 11am-4pm
Chatsworth Road, E5
For more info: www.chatsworthroade5.co.uk

Broadway Market
Barrow boys have been welcoming shoppers to Broadway Market in Hackney since the 1890s.  Today the market is celebrating its 9th birthday since its revival, which opened the door to a new generation of traders.  Visitors will find an abundance of tastes and cultures: with around 100 stalls offering organic meat, fruit and vegetables, fresh fish and oysters, bread, cakes, cheese, vintage and designer clothes, health product and crafts.  The market is also surrounded by plenty of shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes as well as hosting regular live music on its little East End street.

Situated between Regent’s Canal and London Fields, this not-for-profit market ploughs any of its surplus funds to support local community projects.

Every Saturday 7.30am-6pm
Broadway Market, E8
More info: http://broadwaymarket.co.uk

Stoke Newington Farmers’ Market
This pioneering farmers’ market celebrates its 10th birthday this month and has won awards for its ethical ethos combined with the quality of the produce it sells. Visitors to the market will find organic raw milk, eggs, butter, cheeses, yogurt and cream, breads, fresh veg, salad leaves, seasonal fruit, exotic mushrooms, cakes, homemade pasta and ice-cream as wellas sustainably-produced meat. Local producers also sell ready-made delicious meals made from produce at the market to eat there or take away. The market supports 24 small family farms and businesses -most of whom come from within 60 miles of the market.  
 
Every Saturday 10am to 2.30pm
St Paul’s Church, Stoke Newington High Street, N16
For more information about the market and Growing Communities, the social enterprise which operates the market as well as running an organic fruit and vegetable box scheme and three small market gardens in Hackney, visit: www.growingcommunities.org   

Hoxton Street Market
The historic Hoxton Street Market is going through and exciting transformation, making it a street to discover this weekend. The eclectic mix of food, craft and fashion will provide a diverse marketplace that keeps true to its roots. The 300 year old market street has seen many new businesses pop-up over the last year, welcoming a new generation of traders to peddle their offerings to local people.  Always home to the unexpected, and a place of discovery and surprise, visitors will find an authentic taste of the variety of Hackney life at this classic east end market, which has traded in clothing, fresh food and homeware since 1687.  
 
Every Saturday from 9am - 4pm
Hoxton Street, N1
For more information visit: www.hoxtonstmarket.wordpress.com

There’s plenty more markets to discover in Hackney too, from Kingsland Waste’s array of hardware and household items to Well Street Market where barrow boy Jack Cohen started trade before opening his first Tesco.  You’ll also find regular pop-up markets and street food fests.  See www.destinationhackney.co.uk for details.

If you are interested in becoming a trader on one of Hackney Markets please email marketsservice@hackney.gov.uk

Share your experiences and pictures of Hackney's markets on Twitter, using the hashtag #LYLM2013