Info Stall

At the info stall we have eftpos machines for your convenience, plus some of those products that used to be available with their own stall, but for many different reasons, cannot attend the market, so we sell on behalf - Hogarth chocolate, Pinoli Pine nuts, Little Beauties, Black Garlic and more.  Sharing our stall this week we have Mahakipawa Potatoes and Starsky Walnuts,

Fantail Fields – Local Blooms with Heart and History

We’re thrilled to introduce Fantail Fields, a new stall at our Farmers Market, bringing a splash of seasonal color from Spring Creek. Founded by Kelly Hammond in 2017, Fantail Fields has grown from a humble beginning on a borrowed section of land in Renwick to its current 3-acre property. Here, Kelly and her family cultivate approximately 900 square meters of flowers, mostly exposed to the elements, with the help of 18 meters of protective tunnels to extend their growing season.

Kelly’s partner, Ross, plays a big part too, balancing work on their flower fields with running their plumbing business, RM Plumbing, and their bathroom trailer hire service, Onsite Ensuite, designed for bathroom renovators. On the flower farm, Kelly’s mum, Margaret, nurtures the seedlings, whether they’re started on-site or elsewhere.

Fantail Fields isn’t just about beautiful blooms. It’s a business grounded in nature and family. The name was inspired by the fantails that once fluttered over Kelly’s first growing patch, birds that carry a special meaning for her, as she believes they represent the spirits of those who have passed, including her brother.

Floods have been a challenge for the farm, particularly in July 2021, when floodwaters broke through a stopbank and came within a meter of the fields. Though the fields were spared, groundwater soaked the tunnels. The August 2022 floods were less severe, but the threat of rising water is never far from mind.

Fantail Fields offers something unique at the market—a DIY approach to wedding and event florals. Rather than providing full-service arrangements, they offer "DIY bloom buckets" so couples and event planners can create their own designs, from centerpieces to bouquets. For those who prefer a little help, Kelly can craft the bouquets, corsages, and buttonholes. She takes great care in these personal touches, saying it tugs at her heartstrings as she picks blooms with a bride and groom in mind.

Visit Fantail Fields at the market from September to May, and don’t miss their special offerings around Mother’s Day, which marks the end of their main growing season. Anything harvested after that, until the first frost, is a bonus! Come say hello, and experience the beauty of local, fresh flowers grown with love and care.

Salubre

Introducing "Made of Marlborough" Frozen Meals-Local, Sustainable, and Delicious! We're proud to launch Made of Marlborough, our new line of frozen meals produced by The South Sea Catering Company. Featuring premium Salubre beef and the finest Marlborough produce, these meals are designed to bring you the best of local, sustainable, and flavorful ingredients. Perfect for a quick, wholesome dinner that doesn't compromise on quality or taste, every dish reflects our commitment to the environment and the incredible flavours of our region. Taste Marlborough, straight from your freezer! 

Mama Lous

This Sunday at the market, I'll be offering my take on Jacket potatoes alongside our usual apple fritters and mushrooms. You can also grab a chai tea or try our whole bean cacao spiced with chai flavor. If you're curious about where our chocolate comes from, I’d love to chat about cacao trees—how and where they grow, and the unique properties of consuming cacao.

What is the difference between a Whole Cacao drink and a hot chocolate?

A whole cacao drink is quite different from hot chocolate, even though both come from the cacao bean. 

A whole cacao drink is made from 100% pure, minimally processed cacao beans, often ground into a paste or powder, and mixed with water or milk. It retains all the natural fats, nutrients, and antioxidants found in the cacao bean. This makes it a more intense, rich, and slightly bitter drink, often enjoyed for its earthy flavor and health benefits, such as mood-boosting properties and high magnesium content.

In contrast, **hot chocolate** is typically made from processed cocoa powder, which has had most of the natural cacao fats (cocoa butter) removed and is often mixed with sugar and milk. This creates a sweeter, creamier, and more indulgent treat, but it lacks many of the raw, beneficial nutrients found in whole cacao.

So, while hot chocolate is a comforting dessert-like drink, a whole cacao beverage offers a deeper, more robust experience with added health benefits.

Long Acre Farm – Free Range Pork at Competitive Prices

Look out for Long Acre Farm's big green mobile shop next to the shearing shed this Sunday! They’ll have a range of their free-range pork available at great prices, including a selection of delicious sausages like "The Italian Job," "The French Connection," and "The Banger." Pork mince is on special at just $6 per 500 grams. Feeling hungry? Grab a tasty pork and apple sausage roll made with their own free-range pork, a cheese scone with butter, or indulge in their porky Italian-style porchetta served in a ciabatta bun.

Koromiko Free Range Eggs will be at the market with fresh, free-range eggs in a variety of sizes. Their eggs are produced and packed just days before the market, ensuring a fresh product. Don't be tempted by cheaper supermarket eggs with short expiry dates—quality and freshness make all the difference. And please remember to return your Koromiko or Golden Yolk egg cartons and trays for reuse and recycling!

We’re excited to support Fairhall School with a fantastic raffle fundraiser, helping raise money for education outside the classroom. There are loads of great prizes up for grabs, including two luxury food hampers, firewood, two nights at Misty Cove, a Lochmara Lodge day trip, a whole butchered lamb, a $500 Interislander voucher, and heaps of vouchers generously donated by local businesses like Arbour, Saint Clair, Mitre 10, and more! Each draw is valued between $200 and $500. Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. Thank you for your support—see you Sunday!



See you Sunday, 9 to noon, A&P showgrounds.

Lynn Stuthridge

Market Manager

Would you like to know who else is coming on Sunday?

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