Farmers’ Markets: coming to a town near you

A celebration of local produce, authentic farmers' markets are cropping up everywhere, becoming tourist attractions in their own right.

By Rosalind Le Bas Walker

So on your next weekend away, why not discover the local area from the ground up? Most markets run rain or shine, so even if the weather’s not on your side while you’re away, you’re sure to be in luck with a good brew and some fresh baking.

Sellers at authentic farmers’ markets trade only the produce they grow, farm, pickle, preserve, bake, smoke or catch themselves and the food has to be grown within the local area – so you’re guaranteed a locally sourced feast straight from the grower – with delicious consequences.

Talk to the growers and find out a few of their growing tips, often handed down through the generations.

During summer, authentic farmers’ markets are held every weekend around the country, selling everything from chokos to chocolate, sub-tropical plants to strawberries and compote to compost. Live bands, street theatre and dancers often add to the festive atmosphere. Some markets offer kids’ entertainment like pony rides and face painting. In winter, some of the markets close down, so if you’re out shopping for fresh produce, check the Farmers’ Markets website to see what’s open in the colder months.

At a time when we’re becoming more aware of what’s in our food and where it comes from, more and more farmers’ markets are springing up around the country.

The chaiman of Farmers’ Market New Zealand (FMNZ), Marlborough chef Chris Fortune, says authenticity is the key for the long-term success of the markets. The group also promotes the consumption of fresh or minimally processed food.

For the most bountiful displays, fresh coffee and baking, you’ll need to rise early for most markets as trading is brisk and some produce lines are gone by mid morning.

Farmers markets by region

Northland

Bay of Islands Farmers’ Market - Hobson Ave, Kerikeri, Sunday, 8.30am-noon

Whangarei Growers’ Market - Rust Ave, Whangarei, Saturday, 6.30am-10.30am

Paparoa Village Farmers Market - Village Green in the town beside the river, Every second Saturday, 9-noon

Greater Auckland

Matakana Village Famers’ Market - 2 Matakana Valley Rd, Matakana, Saturday, 8-1; winter 9-1

Orewa Beach Farmers’ Market - Orewa Square, Orewa, Sunday, 8-12.30

Albany Farmers’ Market - Albany Hall (off Albany Expressway), First Saturday every month, plus first and third Saturday in December, 9-1

Clevedon Village Farmers’ Market - Showgrounds Clevedon, Sunday, 8.30-12 - all year

Franklin Country Farmers’ Market - Town Square in Pukekohe’s main street, Saturday, 9-12.30

Grey Lynn Farmer’s Market - 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, Sunday, 8-12

Devonport Farmers’ Market - The Devonport Wharf, 9-1, Every Sunday

The City Farmers Market’ at Britomart - corner of Galway and Gore Streets, Saturday, 8.30-12.30

Parnell Trust Farmers Market - Jubilee Building Carpark, Saturday, 8.00 - 12.00 noon

Oratia Farmers Market - 99 Parrs Road - Oratia, Waitakere City, Saturday, 9-12

Parnell Trust Farmers Market - Jubilee Building Carpark, Saturday, 8-12

Waiheke Farmers Market - No7 Belgium St, Ostend Village, Waiheke Island, Sunday 10-1
Waikato and Bay of Plenty

Tauranga Farmers’ Market - Tauranga Primary School, Cnr 5th Avenue & Cameron Road, Every Saturday 8-12 all year

Hamilton Farmers’ Market - Wintec car park cnr Collingwood & Tristram St Hamilton, Sundays 8-12.00

Cambridge Farmers’ Market - Town Square, Saturdays 8.30-12

Coroglen Farmers’ Market - Coroglen Community Hall (Gumtown hall), Coroglen, Sundays 9-1   Closed June 1st for the winter - reopen Labour Weekend

Paeroa Farmers Market, Saturday, 8-12pm

Te Puke Farmers’ Market

Whakatane Farmers’ Market - Mitchell Park, Pyne St, Sundays 8-12 (closed in winter)

The East Coast

Gisborne Farmers’ Market - Army Hall Carpark, Fitzherbert Avenue, Gisborne. Opp GDC Building, Saturday, 9.30-12.30

Napier Farmers’ Market - Behind Daily Telegraph Bldg off Tennyson St, Saturday, 8.30-12.30

Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market - Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds, Kenilworth Rd, Hastings, Sunday, 8.30-12.30

The Village Growers’ Market (Havelock Nth) - Black Barn Rd, Havelock North, Saturday, 9am-noon Nov-April

Taranaki

Taranaki Farmers’ Market - Currie Street, in front of the main post office, New Plymouth, Every Sunday 9-12
Wanganui and Manawatu

Wanganui Farmers’ Market - Down by the River, Whanganui, Saturday, 9-1
Lower North Island

Feilding Farmers’ Market - Manchester Square, Feilding, Friday, 9am-2pm

Wairarapa Farmers’ Market -  Solway Showgrounds, Fleet Street Entrance, Masterton, Saturday, 8.30 am to 12.30

Lindale Farmers’ Market - Lindale Complex, Main Rd North, Paraparaumu, Saturday, 9-2.00pm

Wellington

Moore Wilson’s Farmers’ Fresh Market - 65 Kenepuru Drive, Porirua, 9 am to 1 pm Saturdays only

Upper Hutt Farmers’ Market - Russell Street, Upper Hutt, Sunday, 9am-1pm

Marlborough

Marlborough Farmers’ Market - A&P Park, Alabama Road, Blenheim, Sunday, 9am-noon ( Open 5th Oct to Queens Birthday)

Nelson

Farmers’ at Founders - Founders Heritage Park, Atawhai Drive, Nelson, Friday 3 pm to 6 pm - April to Sept and Friday 3 pm to 7 pm Oct to March

West Coast

Westport Farmers’ Market - Carnegie Library Car Park. Westport, Saturday 11.00 am to 2.00 pm in the Carnegie Library Car Park.

Canterbury

Kaiapoi Produce Market - Charles Street, Kaiapoi, Saturday, 9am-noon (October to May)

Canterbury Farmers’ Market - Riccarton House & Bush, 16 Kahu Roat, Riccarton, Christchurch, Saturdays, 9am - 12 midday

Oxford Farmers’ Market - Canterbury, Sunday 8.30 -12 noon weekly summer     winter 9.00 to 12 noon

Lyttelton Farmers Market - Lyttelton Main School on Oxford Street, Lyttelton, Christchurch, Saturday, 10am - 1pm

Purau Valley Produce Market - Diamond Harbour, Village Centre, Every second Saturday (summer), 9 am 12pm, first Saturday per month (winter)

Waipara Valley Farmers’ Market - Main Road - Amberley (beside Hurunui District Council Offices), Saturday, 9am-12noon   November to April

Selwyn Farmers’ Market - Gerald Street, Lincoln, Saturday, 9am-12noon November to April

Geraldine Farmers’ Market - 71 McKenzie Street - Geraldine, Saturday, 9am-12noon November to April

Methven Farmers’ Market - The Square, Main Street, Methven, Sunday 9.30 am - 12.30 every 2nd weekend starting 9 th November - end of April

Ohoka Farmers’ Market - Ohoka Domain Cnr Mill / Whites Rd. Winter market: May-Sept, 1st Friday monthly 10-1, Summer market: Oct-April, every Friday 9am-Noon

Ashburton District Farmers’ Market - West St car park, Northern End - every second Saturday, 9-12 noon

Central Otago

Central Otago Farmers’ Market - Cromwell Old Town, Starts Nov 5.  First and 3rd Sunday in November, February and March.  Every Sunday in December and January to Easter 9 am to 1

Otago

Otago Farmers’ Market - Dunedin Railway Stn (Nth carpark), Saturday, 8am-12.30 pm

Portobello Village Market, Sunday, 9am-12.00 pm

Riverton Organic Farmers’ Market - 154 Palmerston St, Riverton, Saturday, 10:30-4:30

Southland

Gore Farmers’ Market - Old Horse Bazaar, Mersey Street (West), Gore, Closed from 18 May to spring and new hours to be advised

Southern   Farmers’ Market - Southland Boys High School, Herbert Street, Sunday, 9.30am-12.30

More info

www.farmersmarket.org.nz