Whether you’re after a fabulous food hamper as a gift or the freshest ingredients for your Christmas Day feast, the farmers and producers at Byron and Bangalow Farmers Markets have you covered.
While the farmers markets are well known for fresh locally grown produce, they are also home to some of the best locally made food and drink products – many of which are highly acclaimed not only in the Northern Rivers, but nationwide.
‘We’re really spoiled for choice in this region when it comes to food,’ says Byron Farmers Market manager Tom Carey. ‘Not only are our farmers able to grow such a wide range of seasonal produce, but we’re also home to some amazing food artisans.’
This prompted Byron Farmers Market to introduce a new Local Food Artisan category so the market was able to include non-farming producers and showcase the best foods and drinks the region has to offer. These local food artisans produce everything from fermented foods, spreads, dips, and sauces to shrubs, spirits, and cordials. All perfect for popping into gift hampers!
Byron Fermentary and Lovemore Fermentary both offer a range of fermented foods and drinks, while Church Farm General Store has small-batch sauces and curries. New kid on the block Byron Bush Food has a Davidson’s plum powder that is great sprinkled on seafood, cake, or added to a festive cocktail.
Those with a sweet tooth should check out Puremelt Chocolate’s handmade treats or, if savoury is more your thing, dahl bars from Thanks Darl, and spicy dips from Byron Spice Palace are great options.
If you’re trying to cut back on alcohol over the silly season, it’s worth trying some of the shrubs and tonics from Pyewackets Traditional. But if you prefer the hard stuff to toast, Winding Road Distilling Co has some award-winning gins and rums.
And there are more award-winning offerings at the farmers market, including Cheeses Loves You and Nimbin Valley Dairy cheeses, The Bay Smokehouse fish rillettes, Rancho Relaxo lime cordial, Marlivale Farm pecan spread, and Rainforest Foods Davidson’s plum jam. Enjoy!
Byron Farmers Market is held every Thursday 7–11am at Butler Street Reserve and Bangalow Farmers Market is every Saturday 7–11am behind the Bangalow Pub.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
