Are you into the freshest food you can get, bar growing your own? Do you care about supporting local food growers and producers? Do you love the convivial atmosphere of open-air community markets? If you've answered yes to even one of those questions, then it's off to one of
Jan Power's Farmers' Markets for you!
Haven't got the time? It's too far away? Can't afford it? Well, all the excuses you can think up aren't going to stick, I'm afraid. Jan runs five markets in
five locations – and entry is free. You can do your whole weekly shop there or just soak up the grass-roots vibe, meet and chat with producers and pick up a few choice bits.
I'll bet that each time you see them, cook them or eat them, you'll think back to a wonderful market experience.
Markets run on varying Saturdays and Sundays in Mitchelton, New Farm and Manly and, for those in need of a mid-week market fix, there's a brand spanking new, day-long market every Wednesday at the bridge end of the Queen Street Mall. It runs from 10am until 6pm. Now, that's what I call a serious market fix!
The other markets start at the crack of dawn (6am), so it's up with the cock's crow if you want the best of the best. Even if you stumble along sleepily, you can give yourself a jump start with a hot cooked breakfast, maybe some crepes and a fresh juice or, for those in need of a little more revving up, an excellent coffee.
If a more leisurely start to your weekend is what the doctor ordered, that's fine. You have until 12 noon.
Some of the things you'll find at the markets include: fresh farm produce, bunches of blooms, fresh-baked breads, artisan products, homemade cheeses, meat, fish, poultry, plants, organic and gluten-free foods, wine, and an interesting array of food related stuff. Look out too for fresh mudcrabs, oysters, smoked eel or perhaps some homemade ginger beer.
If your taste buds are working overtime by now (you can always skip the smoked eel), you might like to get cooking with one of Jan's seasonal recipes. The Mediterranean Pasta looks nice and simple – and simply sublime.
If you're a grower or a producer, you might even like to investigate setting up your own stall.
