Loyd Grossman on the world's best farmers' markets Union Square is a wonderful space just inside lower midtown Manhattan and its market has been going since the Seventies. The organisers insist that the stalls are manned by the makers themselves so they know what they're talking about, and there's a huge range of great produce: apples, squash, sweetcorn. I love the Berkshire Berries stall, which sells jam and maple syrup. grownyc.org/unionsquaregreenmarket The Goods Shed, Canterbury They've transformed a Victorian railway building, which could easily have become dilapidated, into a bustling market; it's a hugely positive addition to the community. Try Cheesemakers of Canterbury, which has more than 40 artisanal British cheeses, including some great goat varieties. thegoodsshed.co.uk La Boqueria, Barcelona There's been a market here since the Middle Ages. Today it offers the best Catalan produce, as well as foods from the rest of Spain and the world. I usually go to Especialistas Ramos first, which sells phenomenal Spanish ham, cheese and olive oil. Or I sit at a tapas bar and eat while I take in the buzzing scene. boqueria.info Edinburgh Farmers" Market This has a fabulous setting on Castle Terrace, with Edinburgh Castle behind it, and sells locally sourced food from all over Britain, as well as Scottish produce like lobster, beef and rapeseed oil. One of the most exciting stalls, though, is actually a German bakery called Falko Backhaus, which makes great bread and cakes. edinburghfarmersmarket.co.uk Loyd will appear at Taste of Edinburgh festival, July 6-8; tasteofedinburgh.co.uk. He was speaking to Francesca Teoh