At the moment, throughout NZ there is a competition running to vote for the best Farmers Market – there is a website and a list of contenders, you pick one, you vote. Simple, right?
Except the list is not complete – markets are missing! Apparently you need to belong to the Farmers Markets NZ association or some such high falutin’ banner and we don’t….
So although we won’t win the Taste NZ Farmers Market Awards this year here are a few great reasons why we are none the less Numero Uno.
Our market is the LARGEST in the country
Our market is the longest established – first to kick off in 1997
To be able to sell at our market you have to have grown the produce yourself locally – thus eliminating costly third parties
Our market sells plants, food and flowers only – no crafts or bric-a-brac
Our market operates in all weather – rain, shine or freezing cold darkness on early winter mornings
Not just a collection of gourmet fluffery as some are, ours is a place you can visit in the knowledge you will be able to do all your greengrocery shopping, pick up your milk, cheese, bacon, ham & salami, free range eggs, bread, organic beef, honey, olive oil, fresh and smoked fish, a cheery bunch of flowers, fresh herbs, veggie seedlings, jams & chutneys, along with a few landscaping plants. You can munch on a barbequed sausage, steak sandwich, or a crepe, swig back an espresso, and take in the talents of the buskers. Almost guaranteed to meet up with a few mates too, and enjoy a leisurely chin wag.
The market is strung along the banks of a stream in the Water Street car park – no real attempt at any kind of uniformed glamour – a plethora of mis-matched awnings or just the back of a van open or produce in plastic containers on the ground. No bunting, no red and white stripes, no posh accents – just a bunch of people saving money (and yes, the prices are way less than in the shops!) and feeding the families good healthy fresh food.We cooked a free range roast chook last weekend and ate with it smoked garlic, broccoli, baby carrots and beautiful fresh agria potatoes – all from the market.
Fact File:
Whangarei Growers Market
Every Saturday 6.30am till 10.30am
Water St (next to the Shell Station)
3 comments:
I love the farmers markets and the roadside stands...we go to McLeod Farms for strawberries and peaches...can't wait for the peaches to be ready, I plan to can the heck out of them! Strawberry pies have been made and devoured and I've put nearly three gallons in the freezer...our garden is coming along nicely, can't wait to eat my first tomato sandwich of the season!!!
hugs to you
Sandi
Yay!!! SO lovely to hear from you on the blog... BIGGEST hug!
Yes, I remember those phone calls all too well - and I am just MADE UP that you are so happy now....serious love to you, my darling. xxxxxx
We have a delightful Farmers' Market here in River City. Yours sounds grand, too!
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