Nothing beats a Christmas feast made from fresh, locally grown produce. Not only does it taste better than the supermarket counterparts, but it has super low food miles and supports local farming families. And the best place to stock up on all your festive foodie needs is the local farmers’ market.
‘Whether you’re making Christmas hampers, after a locally made gift, or something for the table on Christmas Day, our farmers and producers at Byron Farmers Market have you covered,’ says market manager Tom Carey. ‘As well as a huge range of fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy, nuts and protein options, they also have some special offerings for the festive season.’
Sweet & savoury
Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy marzipan stollen from The Sourdough Chick, mini-Christmas cakes from A Little Piece of Cake, and Love Bites from Puremelt Chocolate. While Rainforest Foods has released mini-jam packs which include three each of some of their favourite spreads including Davidson’s plum jam, finger lime marmalades, riberry jams and lemon aspen jellies.
On the savoury front, Byron Traditional Pasta is offering a gift (cooler) bag containing three raviolis and two sauces for $75, and Church Farm General Store has mix-and-match bundles of four of their legendary sauces for $40 (saving $8). Conscious Ground has certified organic and regeneratively raised hams (half and full) – no nitrates, just plenty of flavour!
Drinks & tonics
Local drinks are also on the menu thanks to Winding Road Distilling Co who has mini-spirit gift packs for those who choose to partake, and for those who don’t Pyewackets Traditional offer some great alcohol-free options with their shrub sampler pack, while Dr Chill is offering a 20 per cent discount on hemp oil gift boxes.
Flowers & colour
Don’t forget to grab some locally grown flowers to dress the table and house. Take your pick of everything from tropicals, including heliconias and bromeliads, to happy sunflowers, stunning dahlias, traditional roses and market garden mixed bunches. There are blooms for every room!
‘Just a reminder that Byron Farmers Market and Bangalow Farmers Market will be open every Thursday (in Byron) and Saturday (in Bangalow) over the Christmas and new year period,’ says Tom. ‘And on behalf of all our farmers and producers, I’d like to wish our customers and community a Christmas filled with good times, great food and better health!’
Byron Farmers Market: every Thursday from 7–11am at Butler St Reserve. Bangalow Farmers Market: every Saturday from 7–11am behind the Bangalow pub.
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