I’m really excited because as of this Saturday Coburg will have a Farmers Market. I usually schlep across town to the markets at Abbotsford and Collingwood Childrens Farm so having one just up the road is pure luxury in my book.
The market will be held on the second and fourth Saturday of each month at Coburg North Primary School – 180 O’Hea St Coburg 3058, from 8:00 until 1:00pm.
Run by the Melbourne Farmers Market Group (the same people that run the markets at Collingwood Children’s Farm, Abbotsford Convent, Gasworks and Fairfield Primary School etc) the market promises fresh seasonal fruit, veg, meat and bread all sold by the people that produced it.
I know where I’m shopping this weekend. Do you shop at a Farmers Market? What makes a good one?
Yes, I shop at Farmers’ Markets. Unfortunately the one in our town only runs once a month, but there are others not too far away that we also visit sometimes. In my opinion what makes a FM good is good-quality local produce and friendly, reliable stall-holders. I’m prepared to pay a little more for my produce if I know that it is local and has been lovingly grown/reared, though I often find prices to be lower than in the big shops, because there are minimal transport costs.
Absolutely agree. I’m really looking forward to meeting the stall holders at our (note I am already claiming it as my own…) market.
WE have a couple of farm shops nearby and we shop there .
I always get a bit scared of farm shops – here they are often denoted by a small sign pointing down a dirt road to a place you really aren’t sure you want to go. Having said that everytime I have turned down that road I have been really pleased I did.
Our local FM is only new, but we have been a few times. Unfortunately, the produce is not being sold by farmers, and nor is the produce local…it has been quite a disappointment to be honest. We are lucky enough to have a fantastic organic grocer very close by though, so we can access some great local food there.
That is disappointing, I do find that the market vary a bit in quality. The local one is run by a group which seem to vet their stall holders pretty well so I confident that the stallholders should all be producers. Lovely that you have a good grocer though.
That’s great news Liz. I love farmers markets. I keep meaning to go the Fairfield ones but wine forget or the day is not right. Apparently the Flemington ones are really good and they are on every Sunday.
I meant to say “I forget or the day is not right…” Don’t know where the word wine came from! Must be in the head as I am not having one tonight!
I have had a couple but probably shouldn’t have….
I went to Fairfield in March and it was really nice. Smallish but with most of the basics covered. I got berries, fruit, eggs, bread etc so was pretty happy all in all. I haven’t been to Flemington for a year or so – when I last did I don’t remember much in the way of fruit and veg – lots of lovely bread and meat though. Having said that it may have changed considerably since then.
I love the farmers markets. We have a nice one in our town. I grow enough of my own vegetables. But I do buy some fruits and my meat and fish there.
Farmer market is very exciting isn’t. Keeps the heart pounding waiting eagerly for it. I also went to farmer market and just first time knew that several of the farmers are actually very closely related to my late grandmother. It was interesting to learn how deep my roots are with farming.
Wow that is fabulous – what a lovely connection to uncover.
I love my local farmer’s market. It’s a bit of a schlep, but everything is from where I live, so I just make a day of it and save most of my errands for “market day”. The market definitely fills the gaps for vegetables and fruits that I don’t grow and there’s local vendors for pasture raised meats and eggs, local seafood, and, woo hoo, a local dairy started selling the most delicious raw milk! I think I would schlep all the way to the market just for that milk.
Unfortunately no seafood or raw mild at our market – perhaps next time. Some markets here sell raw milk but its illegal to market it for human consumption here so they have to have advice on using it for bathing etc on their stalls. Silly eh?
Our local farmer’s market is a bit of a half-hearted affair, which is a shame. But then there’s a weekly market and a really good farm shop not too far away, so I can’t complain. Enjoy your shopping this weekend!
We have the Buy Bellarine Produce Barn. It’s not amazing, small amount of options at the moment, but they’ve just done renovations and I can’t wait to see the new and improved market.
I love the name, it’s just a shame produce doesn’t start with B as well…
Hurrah for more farmers’ markets! The one I help to organize is a rather large, regional one occurring during winter. We’ve also a new one opening up in my own town that I’m very excited about. Direct sales is enable many of our small farmers to make a living wage, so very critical to a sustainable food system. Next to the quality, range and variety of what we can get at our farmers’ markets, what we like best is the chance to connect with friends and neighbors there!
It was lovely to see so many people at ours, and people quite removed from the school community which hosts it which was great. I’m really looking to the next one as Saturday’s went so well.
It was great to hear that there’s another ‘northside’ farmers market starting up. It will be interesting to see which farmers have stalls there given that it’s on the same days as Collingwood and Abbotsford. We usually ride over to those ones but might have to detour north sometimes to explore “your” new market 😉 Might see you there!
It went really well. I recognised a couple of the stalls from CCF (perhaps if they have large enough families they will do both) but many were new. Really good turn out and great selection although the fruit/veg, bread and eggs all ran out pretty early on.
I don’t know that we have one around here, I must look into it. I used to go to Preston Market all the time, but I found the prices were the same as some F&V shops around me. Though I am not really an organised person, I’m sure you have noticed that, so I really need to go to places that are open more often unfortunately.
I look forward to your report about the Coburg one.
Oh that’s exciting news!!!can’t wait to hear all about it………..
It was fab – I think I will post on it soon.
I love a good farmers market and its wonderful to see them proliferating – the more the better. Such a good day out, although I always spend more than I intend to, so much deliciousness.
It was a really good market too which was great – and absolutely mobbed. I’m shopping earlier next time – they sold out of heaps fairly early on.