Why Shop at Farmers Markets?
I’ve received a few emails recently about the quality of certain farmers’ markets in Australia. Not just about the quality of the produce but also the variety or produce available and about value for money. Ed from Tomato has just written about his experience of farmers’ markets:
On the negative side from the Farmers’ Market I often end up with about 10kg of poor quality peaches that after a couple of days resemple a sinister pile of shrivelled scrotums filling-up my fruit bowl. Often the food is so ripe it is on the turn. This is the opposite problem to the supermarkets where produce sometimes seems to have been mummified and never ripens.
A farmers’ market takes more skill in shoping than a regular market. Instead of asking the reliable and well-known greengrocer what is good we have to self select from the producer who sells direct. Despite my grandfather being in the fruit growing and import business I still find I often fail at this.
The problem is that there is a whole load of stuff that isn’t available and from past experience I know I don’t want to buy from the Farmers’ Market. That means I have to travel to another market anyway, which makes me think: what’s the point?
Quality Produce?
I must admit that I struggle a bit at fruit and veg markets. I go in hope of picking up some really fresh food, which has just been harvested, for less than what I would pay in a supermarket. Unfortunately, I often see shrivelled eggplant or capsicum or soft potatoes so they are clearly not fresh. How can that be? Don’t they come directly from the farm? Perhaps the produce in farmers’ markets is what the fruit and vege shops or supermarkets refused buy from them?
Sometimes I do think it is my own fault though. I tend to go to my local farmers’ market in the afternoon, not long before they close. Obviously that is pretty stupid. The best produce would surely go fairly early on in the morning. I keep thinking I should go as soon as they open but seeing I’m not much of a morning person, that never happens. However, due to the number of complaints I’ve heard, it seems that there is a definite lack of quality at some farmers’ markets.
Wide Variety of Produce?
The variety of products available in a farmers market will depend on a few things. Firstly, the size of the market. Obviously, a small market won’t have everything you are looking for so you’ll have to go elsewhere to get everything you need. Secondly, the variety of local producers. If producers in your area don’t produce organic lamb, for example, then you won’t be able to get organic lamb at that market. Simple. Thirdly, the variety of produce will depend on the season. I think sometimes we forget (and by we I mean me) that fruit and vegetables grow in certain seasons so it’s not normal to find them all year round. Not when they’ve been grown locally, that is. So if you want to buy local organic produce then don’t expect to see strawberries available in the middle of winter.
Overpriced?
While I don’t find that farmers’ markets are expensive, they are more expensive than I feel they should be. I would think buying direct from the producer would result in significantly cheaper prices. There’s no middleman after all and if they are local producers then the transport costs should be fairly low. However, I’ve found prices in the markets to be fairly similar to those in my local greengrocer. Maybe it’s just too much trouble for them go to the market, set up the stall, and get a couple of people to man it - so they up the prices a bit to make it worth their time.
Why Shop at Farmers’ Markets?
If you go early and are selective then you can get quality organic fruit and vegetables fresh from the farm. If you go regularly you’ll soon figure out who has the best produce and you can get what you want quickly. Certain items such as eggs, cheese, yoghurt, and meat are generally of high quality and reasonably priced.
Where to Find Farmers’ Markets
Farmers’ and growers’ markets can be found all around the country. The links below should help you to find a market near you:
Farmers’ markets in Sydney and NSW
Farmers’ markets in Melbourne and Victoria
Farmers’ markets in Perth and WA
Farmers’ markets in Brisbane and Queensland
Farmers’ markets in Adelaide and South Australia
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Disclaimer: I admit that I am a ‘foodie’ with a larger than average knowlege of things epicurean and a global range of recipes and cooking techniques in my head. Perhaps this is why I am about to espouse the virtues of Farmers Markets.
Over the last year I have become a firm fan of The Veg Out Farmers Market in St.Kilda and the Gasworks Park market two weeks later.
With an excellent range of stalls on offer there, we now buy 90% of our fresh produce at these markets. We don’t tend to buy sauces, spice mixes, cakes et al, which seem to be the domain of the casual shopper.
Gradually we have become better organised: we get there before 9am, have our routine down pat, our favourite vendors picked out that offer the best value & quality, a loose 2 weekly menu plan and empty tummies so that we can finish up with the obligatory BBQ’d e&b sambo, fresh OJ & coffee.
I love the relationship you grow with the farmers at these markets, the inevitable chat and exchange of information, recipes and ideas. The familiar faces, kids, dogs, prams and general enthusiasm lend a great atmosphere.
The quality produce is always there first thing in the morning. But given this year’s surge in the market’s popularity, we are finding that most of the good stuff is gone within 45minutes of the 8.30am opening. We now phone/email ahead to order our supplies - thankfully as long term regulars we have been entrusted with the relevant details, so as to have things placed aside for us.
There is also a huge benefit in slow grown produce in that it is more filling than the large scale commercially produced product. This applies to both meat and vegetables, and Hope Farm’s traditional organic sourdough breads. Overall the food is denser and needs cooking slightly longer, but does not lose its flavour in the process.
Consequently I find that we spend less over the month than before, because we use less. At the end of a meal we feel just as sated though. The taste is leaps and bounds ahead too. So many people claim that vegies are tasteless until they have eaten from a farmer’s market selection.
I can understand that the more expensive stuff on offer is generally certified by NASAA, as to get this farmers have to fork out a small fortune. On the average budget, the certified organic items are out of reach cost wise. But to all intents and purposes, most of the produce offered at these markets is organically grown, however many small producers just can’t afford to get certification. I am as happy to buy from them, which also keeps my costs down too.
Freshly harvested produce from these growers keeps for so much longer than the mass produced stuff on offer at large commercial markets. On average most vegies are harvested in the days before a market - not weeks before like the other stuff. The lettuces can be kept for over a month, as compared to a week for supermarket produce, likewise with other green veg and herbs. You also see the difference in freshly laid eggs when you poach them - they stay round without help - and in baking.
Recently when we went overseas we took gifts of Black Angus beef, Barramundi and local cheeses purchased at the markets. Our friends were blown away by the taste and quality. It was a simple reminder that we are fortunate enough to have the choice to reduce our food miles, sustain the economy through small local producers and be rewarded with an exquisite diet of magnificent produce…
….it makes me want to start my own farm.
Thanks for the detailed comment.
I’m glad to hear you have a good expierence when going to farmers markets. I think it’s pretty clear that you have to get to markets VERY early to get the best produce. So wandering by at 11am (like I tend to do) isn’t a good idea.
I’m surprised you say the organic food is denser and that you use less as I haven’t found that to be the case. I’d be interested to know if other people have had the same experience as you.