Celebrating Farmers’ Markets

It’s National Farmers’ Market week from 11 to 19 March - a chance to ask where our food comes from and to start a conversation about the role of Farmers’ Markets in our community. 

Recent national and international events have highlighted the importance of having a strong regional food supply and this is the role that Farmers’ Markets play. Your farmers’ market brings you a selection of fresh local food direct to you from the growers and producers. This cuts down on food miles, ensuring what you are eating is fresh and therefore higher in nutrient value and provides an ongoing supply in the face of global and national events.

We know that we are speaking to the converted, so please help us spread the word that Farmers’ Markets are important in our food supply chain and bring quality affordable food direct to you.

A couple of FAQ’s inspired by a recent interview on Radio New Zealand.

What is a farmers’ market?

An authentic farmers’ market is a place where local people who have grown, caught or made their own products come along to sell it. It’s a place for the local community to get together and supports local business.

What is one good reason to come to the market?

The produce is picked the day before it comes straight to the market. It is cutting out the need to haul produce hundreds of kilometres to a distribution centre from where it gets dispatched to store.

Have a listen to the interview with Jessie Mulligan here.

Over the next week we will be highlighting where our food comes from by sharing stories from our stallholders on social media. Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Instagram

Deals

Zucchinis are a good buy at the moment, at prices that won’t last. See Field Fresh for their special - $2.50 per bag.

With so much talk about rising food prices, make the most of the markets produce in peak season.

Tomatoes, peppers – red and green, cucumbers, cauliflower, leek, broccoli, new season garlic, lettuce, chilies are just some of the current season produce grown by our stallholders.



Take a browse to find exceptionally fresh produce, brought to you on low food miles, right here at the market.

Welcome to Yellow Coffee Roastery

Now you can take away freshly roasted beans for your daily coffee ritual at home.

Tamsin Banks and son Charlie joined the market last week with their locally roasted single blends and single origin beans.

“We have the grinder and can grind fresh,” says Tamsin, “it makes it so much nicer to grind fresh for the week. It makes a difference.”

Tamsin and family established the Yellow Coffee Roastery six years ago, initially to complement their café, which recently sold. We kept the roastery, my husband does all the roasting,” Tamsin says. “Back in 2014 when we bought several coffee bean brands for the café, we thought it would be cool to have our own brand. We are now starting to grow that business.”



Why did they join the market?

“We thought the market would be a great way to have a conversation with customers, and have the local support, rather than having just a website business. We roast fresh, to the needs of our customers, rather than big batch roasting.”



“We want to meet and connect with the customers, have a conversation and meet them again next week, hear how they liked their coffee and help them finetune their blend. We want people to get the best out of their coffee. That’s exactly what the farmers’ market is about.”

“Coffee is a ritual, it’s nice to be part of people’s ritual in the morning.”

New market layout

Stalwarts who attended last week found a major change to the market layout and traffic flow.

We are working on making the arena a convivial market space, where everyone can enjoy the music and atmosphere.

The biggest traffic change that you will notice is that the one way system is gone. If you are bringing your car you will be using the same exit that you used to enter.

The main walk-in entry is through the gates on Maxwell Road where you will come straight into the Information Stall and Market as a whole. We hope that you will enjoy the new layout, and please let us know of your experience.



Thank you.

What else is happening?

Fig School Fundraiser

Richmond View School (RSV school) has been donated the picking and selling of figs from one of their lovely families.

Bianka Shepherd, Secretary for RVS Support Crew, says “all the money go to the RVS School, which is a great fundraiser for our school.”

They will be selling local figs the next few Sundays.

Take a peek at our website homepage, to see which stalls will be attending. We update this page on Saturdays.

From our stallholders

Windsong

Find a range of delicious autumn fruit at the Windsong Orchard stall, all Biogro certified organically grown. Schuyler, Himrod and Iona table grapes, all with the old-fashioned flavours you've been missing from those supermarket varieties.

Also we have Omega and Angelino plums, both long keepers and packed full of flavour. Quinces to make jelly and fruit pastes with, you might even find the odd blueberries on our table if you're early!

Jennie

Mississippi Herbs

Things are looking bright on the produce front! See Mississippi Herbs for your multicoloured tomatoes, padron peppers, shishito peppers and chillies. 

HOMEMADE.KIWI

A special treat today that uses the power of two Homemade.kiwi powders: Lemon Peel and Bay Leaf.

BEAN SAMBAL

You will need 1 small onion; 2 cloves garlic; 1/4 tsp ground chillies; 1tsp Lemon Peel Powder; 1 tsp Bay Leaf Powder, 1/2 cup coconut milk, fresh beans.

Chop onion finely, crush garlic sprinkle with the chillies, lemon powder and Bay Leaf powder.

Fry in a little oil for 5 minutes. Add the beans, sugar, salt and coconut milk. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 - 15 minutes or until beans are tender.

Enjoy

See you Sunday at the Market, Alys

Minghettis

Minghettis is back at the Market on Sunday with the usual selection of breads and some Sundays treats. Try this Autumn season "Pro - Omega Bread" booster, super loaded with nuts.

Kind Regards 

Silvia & Marco

SharpAs Tool Tip

Here is a set of very high-quality Japanese knives that I sharpened recently. These knives can retain a very sharp edge and are a joy to use.

The steel used in these knives does not like hitting hard substances like bone which can chip the blade.

An alternative knife is a good idea to use in areas like that.

If you have these or any other tools, knives, or utensils that need sharpening come and see me at the Marlborough Farmers' Market on Sunday.

Cheers, Ron

Please tell New Zealand that we are your favourite Farmers' Market...

Reminder that we need your help! Take a minute and vote for us. Share the love and help us get to #1. Vote Marlborough Farmers Market to become Kiwis’ Favourite Farmers' Market!! Previous winners were Otago Farmers, Matakana Village Farmers’ Market, and Clevedon Village Farmers Market. Place your vote here. Please vote now.

Thank you