LOCAL FOOD ADVENTURE : Come with us on our South Australian Saturday morning Farmers Market trail.
The school holidays are here. I had the weekend with my family. So I created an exciting outing. That would also fill our fridge and freezer for the coming week and month. Helping me to feed the tummy’s of our hungry kids. And in current times, I think connecting with local food is more important than ever. A real life experience that emphasises “felt safety”. So important right now.
The plan started with the goal of hitting four South Australian Farmers Markets in a Saturday morning. It was a ambitious goal that is for sure.
I believe that there is something special about every Farmers Market. They all have their own uniquely wonderful features.
So come along with us and have your taste buds delighted and join in the fun of our Farmers Market adventure!
Farmers Markets
Barossa Farmers Market
Where : 740 Stockwell Road, Angaston
When : 7:30 - 11:30 Saturday
From Adelaide CBD : 75km or 52 minutes
Indoor or Outdoor Market : Both (indoor and outdoor seating).
Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
Where : Mount Pleasant Farmers Market Showgrounds, Melrose St, Mount Pleasant
When : 8-12 Saturday
From Adelaide CBD : 55km or 1 hour
Indoor or Outdoor Market : Both (Indoor seating in market and atrium).
Adelaide Hills Farmers Market
Where : 23 Mann Street, Mount Barker (Adelaide Hills)
When : 7:30 - 11:30 Saturday
From Adelaide CBD : 42km or 37 minutes
Indoor or Outdoor Market : Outdoor (outdoor seating). Indoor in Winter at Cornerstone College Gym.
BAROSSA FARMERS MARKET
We got up early and drove through the lush green pastures and frost touched valleys of Mount Pleasant, Springton and Eden Valley. To the vines of Angaston in the Barossa.
On arrival on the crisp Autumn morning we grabbed delicious Egg and Bacon Rolls from the local community stall outside the front of the market. And popped inside for coffee and hot chocolates. The Barossa Farmers Market was already bustling with shoppers stocking up on their weekly shopping and recharging with a delcious fresh breakfast. A beautiful start to the morning.
Barossa Farmers Market Haul
MAnMa Barossa Pork Dumplings
Gumshire Pork Bacon
Trevallie Orchard Lemon Bergamot Pears
Bean Addiction Coffee Signature Blend Medium Roast Coffee Grounds
K & R Produce White carrots, brussell sprouts and brocolini
Something I loved about the Barossa Farmers Market was the wooden membership tag on a black lanyard. That were used over multiple years with the membership year cumulatively stamped on the wooden membership tag. So sustainable, innovating a reusable membership tag that is also beautiful.
We left the Barossa and off for a 32 minute drive (38km) to the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market in the Southern Barossa.
MOUNT PLEASANT FARMERS MARKET (Southern Barossa)
We arrived at the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market and the sun was shining on the co-market event of the Makers on Melrose. It was delightful to walk in to see a local artis painting (I think watercolour) at her stall. This richness and community really is one of the extra bonus’ of Farmers Markets.
Mount Pleasant Famers Market Haul
Walden Homestead Veggie Seedlings
Ablesway Farm Pastured Chicken
Collett and Miels Kombucha and Tomato Relish
Rositano Produce Kipfler Spuds and Parsnip
So lovely to see lots of familiar faces here at Mount Pleasant Farmers Market. Being our most local Farmers Market for our own family. This was the Farmers Market I brought our kids in the double pram and shopped up on local fresh produce. As well as our farm Peppermint Ridge Farm Co being Grass Fed Spring Lamb Stall holders here in Spring. For the tiny rural community of Mount Pleasant here in the Southern Barossa, I am always delighted by the dynamic and uplifting vibe the community has build in the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market here. It is a local food hub that feeds the community with delicious local produce, being there is not a supermarket in the town. And also is a local hub where the community connects, makes people feel seen and nourished in body, mind and soul. The Atrium is a real feature of the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market. The Atrium is an undercover space, covered in glorious wisteria, next to the Farmers Market. The breakfasts are top notch. The Eggs Benny is my favourite. And when winter rolls around, its a great spot to have a lovely local weekend breakfast undercover, that still has all the outdoor farmers market vibes.
We jumped in the car and headed off to Mount Barker in the Adelaide Hills for a 45 minute drive (47km) to the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market.
ADELAIDE HILLS FARMERS MARKET (Mt. Barker)
Adelaide Hills Farmers Market Haul
Hidden Valley Farm White Crookneck Garlic (for planting)
Adelaide Hills Granola Almond Protein Granola
Lowan Park Produce Pastured Chicken and Free Range Turkey
Country Herbals Leafy Green Seedlings and Plants
Dogan Farm Lettuce, Spring Onions, Cucumbers and Bunch of Basil
DJ Citrus Orange Juice (cup and fridge bottle)
Dyers Bakery Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Pie and Danish
Yerelina Farm Lemon Drizzle Cake
Choclique Milk Chocolate Freckles
Flora Probiotic Kefir Apple and Lychee Water Kefir
We have lots of favourites from the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market and ticked many of these off of our list. We are monthly stall holders for our Peppermint Ridge Farm Co Grass Fed Beef here at the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market. And have grown lovely connections with our customers and stallholder colleagues.
I used to shop the original Adelaide Hills Farmers Market when it opened up on top of the hill at Auchendarroch, the in the car park near the Library.
What is really special about the Adelaide Hills Farmers Market is the lawns and the dappled shade under the beautiful elms. It has a truly Adelaide Hills vibe. With a really strong community, connected with and supporting local food. As well as connection with the local Mount Barker Waldorf School and Adelaide Hills Homeschooling community.
At around 11:40 we chose to sink into the more relaxed Farmers Market vibe. Feel grateful for the wonderful morning we had enjoyed. Feel grateful for the amazing farmers, growers and makers we had connected with. And most of all, feel grateful for all the nourishing and delicious foods that we had packed into our boot. So we chose to soak up the sunshine, grab a yummy something and delicious iced drink at our comfey spot under the elms on the lawns to enjoy the acoustic tunes. All around, we felt like winners. Nutritious food secured. Feeling connected to where our food comes from and who grows it. Hearts filled. Contentment, tick.
We will visit the Willunga Farmers Market another weekend. When I lived and taught down south, I used to go to the Willunga Farmers Market when it was at the location in the town centre. I had a few things on my list I was hoping to pick up at the Willunga Farmers Market. But the great thing is that our kids are always eating, we always need more food, Willunga isn’t too far of a drive away. We will make it a priority and get there within the next few months.
Farmers Markets in South Australia
First Farmers Market in SA
Willunga was the first Farmers Market opened in SA 2002. After the first Farmers Market in Australia was opened in NSW in 1999[2]
Farmers Markets in South Australia
“Best practice farmers’ markets are food markets where the stallholders are the farmers, their families or farm staff. Resellers are not permitted. The emphasis is placed on farm-direct and artisan-made food sales. Plants, seeds, flowers, worm farms, compost, fodder – and small livestock like poultry are also included, but craft items are typically excluded” Australian Farmers Markets Association [1].
Each Farmers Market offers a range of stallholders each week. Would like to check which stallholders are where? Look on the Farmers Markets social media and/or website. Farmers Markets often have weekly email lists (Some email lists are sent to members only. Some email lists can be joined on the Farmers Market websites).
Farmers Market Memberships
Farmers Markets in SA run on a Membership system. Farmers Market Shoppers can purchase a membership. This give the Farmers Market member a 10% discount on all purchased at the Farmers Market. Each Farmers Market runds a separate membership. Memberships contribute toward assisting each Farmers Market Committee to run the Farmers Market.
Volunteer Community Committees
Farmers Markets are lead by local volunteer committees. Each local Farmers Market Committee runs their own Farmers Market in the way that suits their local context and community. If local food is important to you, connect with your local Farmers Market committee and see if they are looking for volunteers.
Focused on Local Food and Community
South Australian Farmers Markets are focused on connecting local South Australians with Local Food, Local Farmers, Local Growers and Local Makers. Each Farmers Market Committee develops their own guidelines and policies. Check on each Farmers Market website to find our more about each Farmers Market.
Financial impact of $ spent on Local Food
From every $1 dollar you spend at your local Farmers Market on local food, an additional $0.89 is generated in your local economy [3]. That is a pretty amazing impact. If a company was generating this level of return on the share market, I think everyone would be in on it.
Want to buy food from local South Australian Farmers? Saturday busy with kids sport?
If you want to shop from your local South Australian farmers, but Saturday is committed with kids sport and activities. The Sunday Adelaide Showground Farmers Market is a great option. With many of the Stallholders that attend the range of Saturday South Australian Farmers Markets attending the Sunday Farmers Market at the Wayville Showgrounds, in Adelaide.
Across all these wonderful Farmers Markets is one unifying thread. An unwavering commitment to Local Food. Connecting you with your Local Farmer. And helping us Farmers to find connections with local customers. All around it’s a pretty amazing thing. That so many tummys are nourished every night of the week across South Australia with food from your local farmer.
Love to you all, Misses Farmer X
References
[1] Australian Farmers Market Association
[2] Silver lining for 25 years of Farmers' Markets in Australia. www.theaustralianfarmer.com/silver-lining-for-25-years-farmers-markets-in-australia
[3] Fair Foodie - The Importance of Supporting Local Farmers: Why Buying Direct is Essential for Our Communities and the Future of Australia
