Farmer's Markets Day

Ever wanted farm fresh fruit and vegetables,
organic meats and eggs,
a choice of two fish mongers,
antipasto,
a plant nursery,
gourmet bread
and sweet treats all in the one location?

Then you need the capital region farmers market.



As you've probably gathered, it's Saturday. Farmers markets day. I love farmers market day. Actually, let's be honest. I just love food. And farm fresh is even better. So the farmers markets are a veritable smörgåsbord of goodies for someone like me. I love wandering the aisles of fresh fruit and veg, seeing everyone all bundled up in their thick coats and beanies because it's still (what's with the weather anyway) cold. Many of them are sipping take away coffee they purchase immediately upon arrival. Most have a green bag over their shoulder. And many are not alone, choosing to come with friends, partners or family.

There's always a great vibe in a thriving market place. People rushing, pushing and the opposite, people meandering. Lots of chatter. Markets definitely aren't quiet places are they? Yet people are there for the same reason. They're doing the same thing, but it's still an individual experience. At Paddy's markets there was always stall holders shouting above the din with their latest cut price offers. Or telling you their produce is "quality quality". There are signs on each item guaranteeing you these are the best apples in the market, or 'extra sweet' and I even saw one batch of red delicious labelled as 'XX Sweet'.

In the years I've been shopping at markets I've come to realise there's several advantages. Let's start with economics, because the markets are quite often (but not always) cheaper than the stores. And often significantly so. Not to mention the food is farm fresh, it's produced and grown locally (so there's less carbon inherent in the foods due to reduced transportation) and you're supporting small, locally owned businesses and farms. They can be great meeting places, if your chosen meeting place is obvious because markets can be busy places too.

So the markets aren't for us just grocery shopping. They're much more than this. It's always an experience. I think this stems from the routine that we got into when we were first started using markets for our fruit and veg. We used to go every Saturday morning. We'd pick 3 meals we'd never made before from our recipe books and buy the ingredients for them plus a few standard items. It may sound corny, but this was a bonding experience for us. We used to work together to pick the new recipes, work together at the markets and then unpack together and immediately make a breakfast out of our newly purchased items (of which breakfast quiches was always our favourite).

So it just became part of our routine. One that we've continued here.

With 'here' being Canberra, the local farmers markets are the capital region farmers market. If you haven't yet been I'd recommend them. These markets aren't just for fresh, local fruit and veg but also for meat, fish, nuts, cheeses and antipasto, fresh gourmet bread, sauces, traditional pizza, wines, eggs, homemade sweets and treats, coffees, teas and chai lattes, flowers and trees and shrubs. There's also often a stall with bales of hay and a stall selling live chooks to roam around your backyard if that takes your fancy.



The capital region farmers markets are held every Saturday, 8-11am at the northern end of EPIC.