What’s New this week?
This week there is a possible relocation of some stalls if the grounds are too wet to use the grassed area. These stalls will be accommodated INSIDE the pavilion until the grass dries out!
The marquees, tables and chairs maybe placed on the gravel path leading into the pavilion so that you can still catch up with friends and family without having grassy wet feet. It will all depend on how the weather is today and tomorrow! So look out for your favourite stalls in case they have moved.
Royal Gala apples , quinces and black muscat grapes
YES – new season Royal Gala apples are back. Gavin will also have quinces and black muscat grapes again – they were the big surprise last week! If this changes I will update this post tomorrow!
Around the market with our farmers – Why Eat Locally Grown and Produce? To experience freshly harvested produce, local flavours and locally created dishes while supporting your farmers and your community – of course! There are six good reasons and this week I am going to talk about two of these which I am sure you already know but please indulge me 🙂 ….
Local Foods are Fresher & Taste So Much Better
Local farmers pick or harvest their produce for each weekly market providing authentic fresh quality that has a taste vastly better than food that has travelled long distances and has been factory washed, packaged and stored.
Being so fresh our patrons tell us that it lasts longer and we know that it has far more nutritional value.
For example – now the blueberries have finished we are very fortunate that we have the best bananas at our market from local growers Rob Johnson and his family who produce Cavendish, Ladyfinger, Goldfinger and a new variety discovered by Tim Johnson called Little Gem. The Little Gem are now being grown under licence to some local growers and no doubt soon we will see Little Gem establish a niche market in the local area and further afield.
Rob’s stall at the market is Clothiers Creek Fresh Produce so pop along and have a chat to Rob about his Little Gems and his paw paw.
Will Everest of Everest Farm grew the banana exhibit’s champion bunch of bananas at last year’s Murwillumbah Show. He also won prizes for the best commercial bunch and the heaviest bunch for his Ladyfinger bananas.
With such competent growers and bananas that taste great because they have not been transported and stored – the market really does offer the freshest produce year round.
Local Farmers Market Foods Are Seasonal
Locally grown tomatoes burst with flavour compared to those stored and transported. Anticipating the arrival of new season produce awakens your taste buds and memory with the first bite! Soon to arrive are the new season pecan nuts and macadamia nuts. The full flavour and crunch of freshly harvested nuts is really something to savour and once experienced you will never again choose to eat stored nuts.
When you eat local you are supporting fellow locals.
Knowing what’s in season in your region will help you know what to expect at your farmers’ markets and help you know which items at other markets and stores might be from local or regional sources (and which ones most definitely are not
Stallholder changes – Nudgel Nuts – is FINISHED until the new season macadamias and pecan nuts are harvested late March (depending on the weather).
Ulani from the Bagel stall is away this week so we wish her a lovely break and look forward to her return next week.
Entertainment this week : Broadfoot
Seasonal fruit and vegie update:
Mangoes – Everest Farm and Rainbow Fruit Flats have superb .
Dragon Fruit – Rainbow Fruit Flats
Produce of the week (newest season produce is in bold):
- Bananas
- Beans
- Black muscat grapes
- Corn
- Cucumbers (Lebanese)
- Dragon Fruit
- Finger limes
- Passionfruit
- Paw Paw
- Quinces
- Rockmelon
- Sprouts
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
Seasonal Produce List Updated:
Vegetables
Beans (+organic), Beetroot (+organic), Broccoli, Cabbage, Capsicum, Cauliflower, Chard (organic), Chilli, Cucumber (+organic), Corn (+organic), Eggplant (+organic), Garlic (+organic), Herbs (basil + organic basil, coriander, ginger, rocket, turmeric and more), Kale (+organic), Lettuce (cos organic), Fancy Lettuce and mixed salad greens, Micro greens (+ wide variety of organic such as alfalfa, barley greens, sunflower, broccoli, chick pea), Mizuna, Onion (+organic), Pak Choi (organic), Potato (Sebago) , Pumpkin (+organic), Salad Mix, Silver Beet, Sprouts (+organic), Spinach (+organic), Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato (+organic), Tatsoi (organic) Tomatoes (+organic), Taro, Watercress, Wheat grass, Zucchini (+organic).
Fruit
Apples, Avocados, Bananas (Cavendish, Lady Fingers and Little Gem), Blueberries, Dragon Fruit, Grapefruit, Lemons, Limes, Mandoes, Oranges (organic), Passionfruit, Paw Paw, Pears, Rock melons, Strawberries, watermelons.
Nuts
Pecan nuts and macadamia nuts (back in April)
Dairy
Cows milk, cheeses and yoghurt, kefir.
Goats milk and soft cheeses, kefir
Honey
Raw unprocessed honey, creamed honey and creamed honey with cinnamon! And bees wax candles also.
Breads
A variety of artisan sour dough breads baked with organic flours and flavours that use local market products including macadamia nut bread!
Meat
Beef, lamb and pork (All Natural Meat Company), Salami (Nimbin Valley Diary)