Every Sunday between 9am-12pm at the A&P Showgrounds (View our current guidelines)
Market Manager
Welcome to our Weekly Farmers Market Newsletter!
As we welcome the new week, our farmers market is bursting with freshness and flavor. This week, we're particularly excited to highlight the berries that are in full season, with new stalls brimming with an abundance of cherries, blueberries, blackberries, boysenberries, raspberries, and of course, strawberries. Whether you're looking for sweet treats or a healthy snack, our berry selection is sure to satisfy your cravings.
In this week's newsletter, we're excited to share a delicious Strawberry Cheesecake recipe from Golden Mile Produce, which can be made with any of these juicy berries. We'll also delve into the history and story behind Pedro's Empanadas, and discover what makes his mouth-watering pastries so irresistible.
So, without further ado, let's dive into this week's edition and discover all the fresh goodness that our Marlborough Farmers Market has to offer!
Our Busker This Week Is
The Marlborough Districts Brass Band with Christmas tunes to put you in the christmas mood
Info Stall
At the info stall we have eftpos machines for your convenience, plus - shelled walnuts, Hogarth Chocolate, Pinoli Pine nuts, Eden Orchards Juice, Black Garlic and more. We have great gifts for the foodie, secret santa or just that little something for some one special
Bloom & Berry:
Brighten your day with vibrant Gerberas, Statice, and Gypsophila, and take home fresh Blackberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, and Lemons! from
The Pot Shed
Windsong Orchard’s Fruity Season in Full Swing
Windsong Orchard is bringing the taste of summer to the market with their Biogro-certified organic fruit, picked at its peak. Blueberries are available in sizes to suit everyone, from a 125g punnet to a full kilo—don’t forget to bring along your ice cream containers for a packaging swap! Currently, they have plums in season, including Rosezee, Red Beaut, and Duff’s Early Jewel. Stop by the stall for a taste of these delicious, fresh fruits!
Behind the Scenes with Pedro’s Empanadas
Every Sunday at the Marlborough Farmers Market, the aroma of freshly baked empanadas fills the air, drawing crowds to Pedro’s Empanadas. But behind each golden pastry is a story of passion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to flavor.
Pedro’s journey began in Christchurch after he sold his restaurant, La Bamba, in 1994. That same year, he opened Pedro’s Empanadas on Ferry Road, marking the start of his empanada-making adventure. From day one, every empanada was handmade with care, a tradition Pedro continues to this day. His creations quickly gained popularity, not just among the public but also with businesses like the Convention Centre, Ansett Airlines, Lancaster Park, and several restaurants. Over 15 years, Pedro dedicated himself to crafting thousands of empanadas, working tirelessly to keep his shop running.
By 2009, the long hours led Pedro to transition from running a shop to producing empanadas in an industrial kitchen, focusing solely on supplying businesses. However, the Christchurch earthquake of 2010 forced Pedro and his wife to rethink everything. The industrial kitchen and many businesses he supplied were damaged beyond repair. Facing such challenges, the couple made a bold decision to relocate to Blenheim for a fresh start.
In 2011, Pedro joined the Marlborough Farmers Market, initially working out of his home kitchen. “At first, it was slow,” he recalls. “People didn’t know what empanadas were, so I gave out samples to introduce them.” Slowly but surely, locals fell in love with Pedro’s empanadas, and his sales grew from just 60 empanadas per Sunday to a thriving business supported by loyal customers.
Pedro started with four classic flavors and has since expanded his menu to include nine flavors and a weekly special, keeping his offerings exciting and fresh. This week’s special? Chilli and garlic mussels—a mouthwatering twist on his traditional recipes. And for the festive season, Pedro is offering a Christmas special on Sunday, December 22: 12 empanadas for \$25, a savings of \$5. Perfect for holiday gatherings, his empanadas can be enjoyed fresh or frozen for later.
Reflecting on his early days in Blenheim, Pedro smiles at how far he has come. “We started with just a little gazebo,” he says, recalling the humble beginnings of his market stall. Now, Pedro’s Empanadas is a cherished fixture at the market, known for its warm hospitality and irresistible empanadas.
Stop by Pedro’s Empanadas this Sunday and taste the love and dedication baked into every pastry. Whether you’re a long-time fan or trying them for the first time, Pedro’s empanadas are sure to delight. And don’t forget to grab the Christmas special—your freezer (and your taste buds) will thank you!
Exciting news from Salubre Beef!
In collaboration with South Sea Catering Co, we're introducing a delectable range of locally crafted frozen meals that showcase the best of Marlborough's produce. Our premium, regeneratively farmed Salubre Beef takes center stage in three mouth-watering main dishes: Beef Rendang, Beef & Pinot, and Meatballs in Marinara Sauce. Each meal is carefully prepared using a symphony of local ingredients, including Golden Mille onions, Murphy's garlic, Anita's lemongrass and Kaffir lime leaves, Marlborough Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, Salubre Farm herbs, and Marlborough Sea Salt. Our beef stock is made from scratch using Salubre Beef bones, ensuring rich, authentic flavors in every bite. Available exclusively at the Marlborough Farmers Sunday Market, these meals are perfect for those seeking convenient, high-quality dining. Note: Product images are serving suggestions only. Come visit our stall and discover your new favorite meal!
Discover Unique Gifts and Delicious Treats at Lothlorien Lavender & Apiary!
Looking for the perfect Secret Santa gift, a delightful addition to a holiday hamper, or simply a sweet treat for yourself? Look no further than Lothlorien Lavender & Apiary!
At our stall, we have a wonderful selection of gift bags ready for you to fill with your choice of goodies. And the best part? We'll take care of the wrapping for you, making gifting a breeze this festive season.
If you haven't yet sampled our latest release honey from Autumn 2024, now is your chance! Our customers have been raving about its incredible taste, and we can't wait for you to try it too. But hurry, stocks are limited so make sure to bee quick!
Join us at the market for a chat and a taste of our delightful products. We can't wait to share our love for lavender and honey with you all. Bee happy and see you soon!
Warmest wishes,
Lynette & Les
Fresh from Golden Mile Produce - Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe
As we head into the peak of strawberry season, we're excited to share a delicious recipe that celebrates the sweetness and flavor of these juicy gems. Our friend Sally Harnett from Golden Mile Produce has kindly shared her favorite strawberry cheesecake recipe with us, and we can't wait for you to try it!
Servings: 8-10
Ingredients:
* 200g plain biscuits
* 200g strawberries of your choice, crushed
* 75g butter, melted
* 1/2 cup castor sugar
* 3 teaspoons gelatine
* 1/3 cup cold water
* 250g Golden Mile Produce strawberries
* 250g cream cheese
* 300mls cream, softly whipped
Method:
1. Prepare a 23cm springform tin with baking paper.
2. Combine the crushed biscuits and melted butter, pressing into the bottom of the tin. Chill while making the filling.
3. Mix gelatine and water, heating gently in the microwave until dissolved. Set aside to cool.
4. In a food processor, blend strawberries until smooth, then add softened cream cheese, yoghurt, and sugar. Add cooled gelatine and blend until just combined.
5. Fold the strawberry mix and whipped cream together. Pour over prepared base and chill overnight.
6. Decorate with additional whole and cut strawberries and chocolate shards, if desired.
We'd like to extend a huge thank you to our wonderful friend and local chef, Maree Connolly, Executive Restaurant Ops Manager at Quench Restaurant & Bar, for sharing this delicious recipe with us.
At Golden Mile Produce, we're passionate about bringing you the freshest, locally sourced produce. That's why we pick our strawberries at the peak of ripeness, ensuring they're as sweet and delicious as possible. Treat yourself to a selection of our fresh strawberries and tasty products today!
For more information or to purchase our fresh strawberries and products, please contact us at:
Golden Mile Produce
1204 Rapaura Road
p. 0274927589
e. [goldenmileproduce@gmail.com](mailto:goldenmileproduce@gmail.com)
Happy baking, and we'll see you at the farmers market!
Christmas from Minghetti’s
Celebrate the season with Minghetti’s delicious panettones! These festive treats are perfect for gifting or enjoying with loved ones. Place your orders now to ensure your Christmas is extra sweet and special!
Gourmet-deli
will be at the Farmers market 22 December with loads of pop in your mouth fresh Christmas mince Fruit Tarts.
Also a great selection of various sized Christmas Fruit cakes decorated with nuts and glacé cherries.
Small edible food mini hampers. Plus the usual tasty fare.
SharpAs Tool Tips
The owner of these hunting arrow heads wanted them sharpened to work efficiently to prevent undue suffering to anything he was hunting.
If you have knives, woodwork tools, metalwork tools, garden tools, kitchen utensils, or other items in need of sharpening, come and see me at the Redwood Market on Saturday mornings or the Marlborough Farmers' Market on Sunday mornings. You can also contact me directly at 027 444 5535.
What Else Is Happening
Get ready for a vibrant selection at the market this week! Fantail Fields is bringing a burst of summer cheer with zinnias, dahlias, Bells of Ireland, and nigella flowers, perfect for brightening up your home. Dave’s Produce has a delightful array of fresh tomatoes, raspberries, and blackberries to satisfy your cravings. The Nelson Shroomery will be offering perfectly timed grow bags—ideal gifts that will start producing delicious mushrooms just after Christmas! Cherrybank has both firsts and seconds of dark and light cherries available, along with delectable cherry jam and cherry sauce, just in time for the holidays. While Mississippi Herbs is taking a break this week, they will return for our last market before Christmas. Don’t miss the new seasonal stalls featuring Tasman Bay Berries and Valley Berries, and be sure to check out Mills Bay Mussels for the first time! These tasty shellfish are nutritious and can be prepared in countless delicious ways. Join us at the market to discover all these exciting offerings!
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
If you haven’t already, we invite you to follow us on FaceBook and Instagram, or check out our website
PS Do you have a friend who would benefit from being on our mailing list? Please forward this newsletter, and they can email us at marketmanager@marlboroughfarmersmarket.co.nz or go to our website to join our mailing list.
MARLBOROUGH FARMERS' MARKET
MARLBOROUGH FARMERS' MARKET