Butchers across Barnsley have seen an increase in customer numbers because of the horse meat and food labelling scandal.
Trade in the town centre market in particular appears to have increased as shoppers avoid processed supermarket foods in favour of freshly sourced meat.
Town centre manager Anne Untisz said more people seemed to be heading to the markets after losing confidence in products from supermarkets and because they wanted meat from a butcher they could trust.
She said: "I think that's why we've seen people coming in. They have confidence in their product - butchers on the market can tell you where it's come from and some of them have rosettes from cattle which have been prize winners.
"A lot of people have good, long-standing relationships with them, they trust their butcher because they've built a rapport with them. I shop on Barnsley Market and they can tell you thread to the needle."
She said Barnsley Market was renowned for excellent quality meat, fish and vegetables and is always busy.
Stuart Barrow, who owns Stuart the Butcher in the meat market, has more than 30 years in the business.
He says the problems have definitely seen more shoppers venturing into the fresh meat market, although he says it may take some folk some time to get used to unpackaged fresh meat.
"You can tell some of them have never bought fresh meat before. We are more than happy to help, to advise and to make sure they get the best," he said.
"I know they will get more help and advice from me and my staff than they will ever get in a supermarket- my advice is just come and ask and we will help you.
"Hopefully this will lead to more people eating proper food- there is a huge difference between eating good quality meat and just eating something/anything for the sake of simply eating. I would hope this might lead to more people eating proper meat."
Owen Gleadall, president of the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce said he thought independent traders would benefit in future because they would gain the confidence of their customers.
"It might also make people realise that independent traders who buy local produce and serve local people are the people to trust, rather than the big conglomerates.
"We used to trust labels but I don't think anyone does any more. When you're looking at the fat content and the calories, what's the point if you don't know there is horse meat in it.
"We've very much become a convenience food nation in that we buy things because we don't have to wash them and peel them. But just because it says that on the packet doesn't mean it's been done."
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