We have ten copies of this top shelf book to give away to Dumbo feather readers! 
To celebrate Alla Wolf-Tasker (Issue Ten) being awarded a Member Order of Australia (see previous post) we’re going to share the winning spirit. Alla is a true local produce advocate so we have ten copies of this wonderful ‘Guide to Farmers’ Markets’ in Australia and New Zealand 2007 to give to the first ten people to email us and quote the sentence from Alla’s Dumbo feather interview in which she mentions farmers’ markets (that’s the only catch). So get out your copy and have a reread… then email the answer to us at birds(at)dumbofeather(dot)com.
The guide features over 100 markets in Australia and New Zealand, recommendations for the scrummiest things to buy from each one, recipes from locals and profiles of ‘market heroes’.
By supporting your local farmers’ markets not only is shopping way more fun, your food more delicious, the earth less polluted and the environment saved from more diesel fumes but you may even get to know the name of the guy who grows your mushrooms… If you’re keen to know more about farmers’ markets and where the one closest to you may be, visit www.farmersmarkets.org.au.
Does anyone have a favourite local market?
Tags: 9 Comments
9 responses so far ↓
yea, bellingen local produce market is an organic farmers market run every 2nd week at the showgrounds - food stalls, local (bundagen) bread, flowers and sometimes chooks for sale, laid back, friendly and never any hustle or bustle.
lovely
They come and go with alarming regularity in our part of the world, the supposed breadbasket of the region,the Hawksbury. Not sure if the second Saturday market at Castle Hill Showground counts, it features many of the sellers from the Sydney Pyrmont growers market, plus and minus.
Recently visited the Canberra farmers market, what a treat, everything under the hot sun even in the middle of the drought, worth planning a visit around, I surely will return over a Saturday.
Gleadell St Market in Richmond, Melbourne.
Gleadell Street on a Saturday is something to be experienced…Bursting trays of strawberries, organics that don’t cost the earth, vats of apples, oranges and (gasp) bananas. There is no checkout beep, people smile at each other. But once two elderly men did argue over an artichoke.
They are a long way from my home in Perth but I loved the farmer’s market at the Powerhouse in Brisbane. Not only was the produce healthy and bountiful, but the people were beautiful too.
Bathurst Regional Farmers Market is fantastic. The last Sunday of every month, full of local produce, heaps of vegetarian food, jams, meat, etc. I have recently moved back to Sydney and I really miss my monthly visits. Worth the trip out west.
Powerhouse markets in Brisbane were my first introduction to Farmers markets and I could not believe my luck when I moved to Sydney and found the Pyrmont farmers markets at my doorstep. A real treat in the inner city and I now look forward to the first Saturday of the month. The specialty regional produce is fresh and there is always something new to taste and buy.
Canterbury Farmers Market in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Up until a couple of weeks ago I had a stall there - selling all tomato based products.It was great fun -getting there (it is on every Saturday morning at Riccarton House) at the crack of dawn with the other stall holders to set up the tents and products and chat with the regulars and see how many new people turn up. Due family demands I had to stop the stall but this is fine because I get to go back to being the buyer , and there is so much great produce to stock the larder with - free-range organic pork and chicken, organic veges, jams, flowers, chocolates, really really good coffee and bacon sarnies. ChCh is very lucky to have this market and there are such passionate people behnd it. It is a must…..
The Pakenham Farmers Market is great every second Saturday of the month on the local racecourse. Fresh free range pig, venison, cheeses, vegetables, fruit, chutneys, jams, eggs, live chooks and good plants. Bread etc. We are struggling on the Mornington Peninsula to get something really good going but the Red Hill and Boneo Markets are setting a promising pace. Good young local people are now really starting to sit up and take notice.
We’ve had an overwhelming response to the competition and all copies have now been won. Do keep posting your fave markets though… Here are some others people have emailed us with;
Eilish wrote “My fave market is kirribilli in sydney, not really a food market but great veggies and flowers. I have a ritual catching up with some girlfriends for breakfast there each month after we have added another few items to our wardrobes. We need more farmers markets. I loved the union square one when I lived in new york and the old milk market in limerick where I grew up in ireland is still going strong.”
Kate wrote “I just don’t feel right if I have not enagaged with the producers of the food I eat on a weekly basis. To eat well is to love the earth.”
Jane wrote “Re. favourite markets, the Adelaide Central Market would have to be one of mine. Every sense is alive. Breads and cheeses and fresh coffee and flowers and smallgoods and fruit and veg and roasted nuts all under the same roof… it’s really wonderful!”
India wrote “local loyalty compels me to mention the Barossa Farmers’ Market first, and jolly good it is, too. You can pick up all the makings of a fabulous picnic (or Easter Brunch, for that matter) en route to some of the yummiest wineries… Rockfords, Turkey Flat and so on. be there at the crack of dawn on Saturday mornings.
And just across the ditch (a little impractical for regular replenishment of the larder) there’s a splendid wharfside market at Wellington… Sunday mornings, I think, just across from the ghastly New World supermarket. literally a delicious irony!”