Articles :: Farmers' Markets in Australia
The farmers' market scene is flourishing, with many towns lucky enough to have a farmers' market appearing regularly. There are now over 120 farmers' markets around Australia. I must confess to being a convert - it's the ideal way to find fresh, unusual produce.
According to Jane Adams, chairperson for the Australian Farmers' Market Association, farmers' markets are places that connect the country to the city. "At a farmers' market you're engaging with food from it's source. People are there to answer your questions and samples are usually offered. There's nothing more enticing than biting into a succulent, juicy peach." She says.
The first time I personally heard the term farmers' market was at an organic food market in Marrickville. This market was fairly eclectic. They had a small amount of organic produce, most of which was very expensive, and a variety of stalls the likes of which you'd expect to see at Paddington or Glebe markets. If you were after fresh produce there were only a few stalls. Most of them were dedicated to other things.
There was one stall which was a fair bit cheaper and the produce still looked good. I found out that this stall was a farmer's market stall, produce which was not "certified organic" as such, but was still grown pesticide and chemical free. It was also priced at less than you friendly neighbourhood supermarket chain would normally charge for their limp, bland produce. To be certified organic the land the produce is grown on must be free of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers for a minimum of three years. If you're not overly fastidious then farmers' market produce is a good compromise and healthy enough for the vast majority of people. Actually it's way healthier than the produce that's normally available to you in any case.
I was advised by the stall owner that farmers' markets operate around Sydney and that the real market has a lot more stalls dedicated to produce, but that they also have freshly baked breads, honey and a variety of food -related items.
Go to www.farmersmarkets.org.au to order a copy of The Guide to Farmers' Markets 2007 or to find out where there's a farmers' market near you.