Want that warm fuzzy feeling and ultimate satisfaction when completing your weekly food shop? Shopping at your local Farmers Market is that golden decision that'll make you "Hooked on a feelin" and thrilled to be supporting your local producers each weekend (I’m coming for you pain au chocolat).
Farmers markets mean saying "good morning" and catching up with your farmer that puts in the hard-yards caring for the soil and growing your delicious bunch of sweet'n'crunchy, just picked this morning carrots. It means saying "I ADORE your bread" to your sourdough baker who's been up all hours lovingly baking your must-knead weekly loaf.
It's the little oasis of community, catching up for a cuppa, groovy music, ultra-fresh and mouth-wateringly tasty, handmade and locally grown products, EVERY Sunday morning.
If that's not enough to convince ya, here's five more reasons we think visiting and shopping at your local farmers market (like us!) should be part of your weekly food routine:
1. Fresh, High-Quality Produce and Seasonal Eating
Guaranteed freshness. Yep, your dedicated growers and farmers stand by this. Shopping for your weekly fruit and veg at a farmers market means you're getting the freshest food possible and more bang for your buck.
That lusciously-green head of lettuce? Hand picked this morning, crisp as can be under the morning dew. Dreamy, creamy avos? You bet, grown and plucked from happy'n'thriving trees. Don't forget the sweet and juicy citrus, singing vibrance in its basket, picked at peak ripeness - you'll find it here.
Local produce grown in local soils (like our rich Taranaki volcanic soils), picked the night before or morning of the farmers market, translates into long-lasting, uber-fresh, nutrient-packed, seasonal goodness where you can taste the difference.
No more soggy bagged greens or playing guessing games on how your food was grown. Fully transparent, organic and spray-free produce is available right here every weekend. Better yet, seasonal produce at the Farmers Market is wonderful for the pocket, affordable prices for local freshness - who doesn't love a bargain?
Come and meet your farmer and look forward to chatting over your weekly dose of micro greens and beloved summer tomatoes.
2. Local Economy - Supporting ya local
Let's face it, it's tough out there right now. Budgets are tight and expenses are high. There's a lot of things to consider before spending your hard earned cash -for good reason.
Shopping at the farmers market can be a win-win, feel good event where you can see exactly where your precious dollars go. Meet the individuals and families behind the cherished small businesses you're supporting. You get that reassurance that your money stays within our community, helping to feed the families that feed you and boosting our local economy.
So next time you're stocking up on your favourite free-range sunny yolked eggs and ordering your freshly brewed cup of joe, you get to celebrate in the exchange of a grateful smile, knowing your dosh is doing good deeds.
3. For the love of the environment
Food miles? A plane, a train, a truck, that's some well traveled food! But that means a whole lot of resources and plumes of petrol used before your food even reaches your plate.
At the Farmers Market - Forget about that! Farm to table, minimal food distances is where it's at. Shopping at your local farmers market contributes to a cleaner environment, encourages local agriculture and regenerative practices, reduces emissions and minimises excess packaging.
Pair that with a bike into town and reusable shopping bags in tow, and you've got muma earth smiling from tree to tree with sustainable shopping sorted.
4. Community Connection- Coffee at the farmers market shall we?
Why not make a morning of it! Brunch at the farmers market anyone? Sounds idyllic right?
Your local farmers market is your community hub. Come on down with your friends and whānau, get to know your growers, bakers and producers and make a new pal while lining up for your favourite pastries.
Socialise and feel connected, groovy tunes set the scene whilst you tick off your weekly grocery list, mingling with like-minded people and enjoying the "easy like a Sunday morning" vibes. Sounds like a mood-boosting shopping experience that you wouldn't want to miss.
Farmers markets provide the perfect place to catch up with your family and mates over coffee and freshly baked croissants, with the buzz of community brightening the morning and making it a must-do activity you look forward to every weekend.
5. Education and Transparency - Know who, what & where your food came from
Have you ever wondered who, what and where your food came from? At your local farmers market you get to ask! You can channel your inner Sherlock Holmes and ask those questions - Do you use organic growing practices? Where do you grow these macadamias? What do you feed your free-range chooks?
There's no more guessing games when you can look your farmers, makers and bakers in the eye and smile with their happiness to chat about their products, aka your food. Learn the ins and outs of making Mānuka honey, how Oyster mushrooms grow, when those persimmons will ripen and even how to make your own kombucha at home (What on earth is a scoby!?).
The transparency and education opportunities at the farmers market are endless. Getting to know your farmer, their animals, crops and ingredients is a priceless novelty you get to experience during your shop. Parents and children can also find endlessly valuable knowledge to teach from a young age by connecting with their community and learning about food in a fun environment.
Think of us as your edible classroom, learn about food, eat food, share food, enjoy food - (it's win-win if we say so).
So... guess we'll see you soon?
Without tooting our horn too loudly, we think farmers markets are pretty awesome places to be. All throughout New Zealand you can find these slices of local foodie paradise each weekend.
Shopping at your local farmers market has a ripple effect that reaches far and wide, supporting the wellness of our farmers and producers, our environment, local economy, community and fostering robust local food systems. Reap the benefits of seasonal local food, made with quality ingredients and aroha, picked and made fresh every time.
Did we mention that there's often freshly baked focaccia, sun-ripened strawberries, gourmet donuts and barista made coffee? Because that's definitely a bonus too...
Make sure to check out your local farmers market soon (we're entering busy season!) we'd love to see you.
Find out where your local farmers market is below:
https://www.farmersmarkets.org.nz/find-a-market.html
