It feels like summer when courgettes are back on the menu, and the strawberries are nice and juicy. A real highlight of this season must also be asparagus, available a little while longer. Capsicums are coming on too. Isn’t it great how the produce changes over the season, providing us with what our bodies need at the time?

Remember, just because it’s on the shelves it doesn’t mean that it’s in season. (Think melons, spotted elsewhere by a friend last week who nearly fell over at the price). You just end up paying over the top prices. The surest way to save is to buy seasonal. The way to ensure that you do that is to buy directly from the growers in your region. That’s what we aim to provide at the Farmers’ Market. Direct from the farm gate to the dinner plate. No middle-men, no imports, low food miles. (PS if you want melons, talk to Stephen and Sally at Golden Mile about when they will be ripe.)

New Stallholders

Welcome to Macaronage who had their first market last week, and to Lyn and Les Dick of Lothorien Lavender and Apiary who will appreciate your warm smiles on Sunday.

Christmas market dates

Five Sunday markets left until Christmas and one special twilight market! On Friday 23 December come on over after you finish work and again the following Friday in time for the New Year’s break. Enjoy some festive cheer with our talented buskers and wonderful food trucks. It’s a last chance opportunity to get together with friends and family before the holiday starts. We invite you to jot the dates in your calendar.

Xmas Twilight market

Friday 23 December 3-6pm

New Year’s Twilight market

Friday 30 December 3-6pm

CLOSED Sunday 25 December2022

CLOSED Sunday 1 January 2023

Who else will be attending?

Our website is updated on the Saturday. It’s a great place to take a peek before the market.

One of the stall holders attending is Marlborough Microgreens. Cherie Tipene grows microgreens and makes pesto. Her favourite product is the “original radish pesto”.

“I like it in hot dishes, roasts, and with cheese wrapped in bacon. She also loves supporting the other stallholders, buying her ingredients from them. “We all support each other as much as we can”, she says.

Sunday is also a chance to pick up Devon’s refreshing cordial or sip some at the market. Take in the sights while sampling some yummy food truck kai. There is a lovely story in the Marlborough Weekly about our young entrepreneur Devon, who we love having at the market. If you haven’t seen it yet, here is the link.

Farmers' markets in the press

There’s no better place to enjoy Aotearoa New Zealand’s hospitality than at a farmers' market. In partnership with 100% Pure New Zealand , the Australian Broadsheet Editions hit the stalls to find the best in the country.

Take a look at their guide to New Zealand’s best Farmers' Markets.

https://bit.ly/3Navqkl

When you are travelling in NZ this summer, make a little time for to include these markets in your itinerary.

From our stallholders

Isobel Olives

Sharing some exciting news - Isobel olives won two gold medals and two Best in Class awards at the recent Olives NZ conference and awards ceremony. On Sunday take a look and taste them for yourself.

There are three flavours – a mild oil Koroneiki, a single Greek variety, a medium blend, and a robust blend. As they are extra virgin oils they are suitable for cooking.

The mild oil for fish, chicken, eggs, and dipping breads, the medium for general use, and the robust for marinades, salad dressings, roast veggies and finishing steamed veggies.

All three oils won gold medals and this year’s oils are high in polyphenols which provide health benefits for diabetics, heart, and joint disease, due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

Chris Piper

Golden Mile Produce

Golden Mile Produce has started harvesting our fantastic new season courgettes. They are green, glossy and delicious (& our bumble bees love the flowers!). Start thinking courgette fritters, quiche and BBQ. An easy summer staple. Strawberries are going so well, they're BIG, they're juicy, they taste fabulous, we are selling out every Sunday, so avoid disappointment, don't be late!

Stephen & Sally

Homemade.Kiwi

Hello Campers and Trampers and people on the run!

We have a new product this week, "QUICK 'N EASY SOUP IN A MINUTE" The soup comes in three individual packs that have already been ground. All you need to do is add 1 and a 1/2 cups of boiling water and it's ready for a delicious 'anytime' meal.

The soups include powdered organic coconut cream.

See you at the Market on Sunday. (Don't forget to order your Christmas Cake)

Alys

Minghettis

Minghettis is coming to the market with a new series of cookies/biscuits along with the popular Veneziana, Macarons Tart, and our Sourdough Bread.

We started the Panettone season. This year Marco candied the fruit (Pear, Orange and Apricot) himself.

This Sunday we'll have available Panettone Chocolate and Homemade Candied Pear.

Ciao Ciao

Marco & Silvia

Sharp As Tool Tip

I have had several of these old hedge trimmers come through my workshop. If you come across an old pair don’t be put off by the rusty condition. Underneath still lies a very good garden tool.

The pictures show a before and after shot. There are now many more years of life for this recycled tool.

If you have any tools like this or anything that need sharpening come and see me at the Marlborough Farmers’ Market. 

Frut4U Lowes Orchard

Due to our reduced apple stocks, Lowes Orchard will now be absent from the market until we begin the first of the season's peaches. We anticipate these will reach maturity in time for us to return to the market on Sunday 11 December. We hope that customers and stall holders will have good markets in our absence and look forward to seeing everyone again upon our return. 

Regards,

Andrew Lowe