By Sandra Haslam
The New Brighton Farmers Market turns 10 this week and there is much to celebrate! The farmers markets are the best shopping experience anyone could have. The lighting is natural, the air is fresh and breezy, the shelves are stalls which are largely beautiful artful arrangements, you are served by actual people, and the produce is super fresh and locally grown or made.
As well as the quality produce and artisanal food products, another, almost better, feature is the stories you can come home with. The stallholders are mostly the growers themselves and might offer an anecdote about the food: that it was just pickled at night by the family, or that this is the first batch, or how they kept the possums off, or what is ripening to be ready for next week.
They are quite passionate about their food and can offer great preparation and cooking tips. Other customers have been known to join in giving encouragement and information on how to get the most delicious results. It makes you eager to run home and try the new tips.
Advice can go both ways. I have heard a young stallholder listening to advice about love from a more senior customer; the conversation ended with chuckles! Love is in the air at the farmers market; one mature stallholder is always charming and the women leave his stall sweetened by his attentions – it makes them happy and I’m sure that happiness spreads beyond just them.
The conversations can continue over a fine range of coffee or smoothies and breakfast or snacks, sitting down, taking in the relaxed, visual feast and listening to music – live music, not the wallpaper music you have to bear in supermarkets.
As well as fresh organic and conventional produce, you can pick up artisanal products – everything from bread and pastries, pickles, soaps, candles, flowers, plants and more. One mum says that, as well as the shopping, she always gets a weekly treat for the family and finds the markets a good place to pick up flowers or a simple gift when the occasion arises.
Having stallholders who are genuine people serve customers brings humanity back into the shopping experience, they might throw a couple of free things your way or round down your total out of the blue or just wish you a lovely day.
There’s a benevolent conspiracy underlying the whole farmers market phenomenon; you always come out better than when you entered. Whether you duck in briefly or lay back there for a while, observe the goings on or join in the conversation, the farmers markets are a wonderful immersion in produce and people.
More info: River Street, New Brighton. Tuesdays 8–11am. www.newbrightonfarmersmarket.org.au
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