Farmers and Food Markets

I've got to say, this month's rant, or blog, is around something that I have a great passion for, that is Farmers and Foodie Markets. True, some markets are both roll into one, while some would not be considered "foodie" in any sense of the word, but are true farmers markets without any doubt down to the real, i.e., genuine, mud.

So, without further ado, here are some of my favourite markets. As always, feel free to contact us with any updates or suggestions.

Australia

Sydney, NSW

Carriageworks Farmers Market

Trading Hours: 8am-1pm, Saturdays

Great selection of produce organic, free range and locally grown. Great for seasonal food shopping. Also some of the best flowers in Sydney. Of course as with all good markets plenty of food stalls to fill hungry bellies.

See their website for details: Carriageworks Farmers Market

Marrickville Farmers Market

Trading Hours: 7.30am-3pm, Sundays

My favourite Sydney farmers market, plenty of organic, free range and local produce, very seasonally orientated. Couple of good butchers and seafood. Excellent selection of bread and lots of delicious food to be had. Even better for bored children there’s a bouncy castle and for any budding artists, there is a recycled art supply shop.

See the Facebook Page for more details

Frenchs Forest Farmers Market

Trading Hours: 9am-1pm, Sundays

A good solid farmers market plenty of everything: fruit and vegetables, plants and flowers, free range and organic meat, and of course tasty food to keep you going.

See the Facebook Page for more details

Flemington Food Markets

Trading Hours: 6am-2pm, Saturdays

Wholesale market open to the public on Saturdays. Great for bulk buying all types of produce, and being one of the bigest in the world, there are plenty of bargains to be had for the canny shopper.

See: Paddy's Markets

Sydney Fish Markets

Trading Hours: 7am-4pm

As you'd expect the best place in Sydney to purchase seafood, far more tourist orientated than when I was a girl. The best time to go is early in the morning 7-8 am on the weekend it is still civilised (I always park up the street in Ultimo, grab myself a coffee and croissant on the way to make up for the early start.)

For more information, see: SFM Website

Canberra, ACT

Capital Region Farmers Market

Trading Hours: 7:30am-11:30am, Saturdays

Canberra markets being set in the countryside surrounded by great produce, makes this market a worthwhile destination. Excellent for your weekly food supplies. Everything from fruit and vegetables, olive and walnut oil, seasonal nuts, good quality organic and free range meat, plants and flowers, cheeses and other dairy products, delicious pastries and of course good coffee and food to keep you going.

See Capital Region Farmers Market for details.

Melbourne, Victoria

Queen Victoria Markets

Trading hours: Tuesday and Thursday 6am-2pm. Friday 6am-5pm. Saturday 6am-3pm. Sunday 9am-4pm.

This market is a true Melbourne institution. One of many favourites in the world. You can't beat it for your weekly shopping! Whole sections for meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables, cured meats, cheeses, chocolate, coffee and spices. This is not a farmers market, however there is plenty of organic and free range food to be found. The beauty of this market it’s opened Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Check out what is on at QVM Website.

Adelaide, SA

Adelaide Central Markets

rading hours: Tuesday 7am-5:30pm, Wednesday and Thursday 9am-5:30pm, Friday 7am-9pm and Saturday 7am-3pm. Closed Sunday and Monday.

I’ve visited Adelaide markets on and off all my life, while plenty of markets around the work have changed, the Adelaide Central Markets has managed to hold on to its unique sense of self. Officially opened on January the 22nd 1870 this market is steeped in history and well worth a visit.

See the Adelaide Central Markets Website for more details.

Amazing selection of fruit and vegetables from free range and organic to small local produces selling the best of the season. Excellent choice of bread including sourdough and flat breads. Fresh meat and seafood, including a fabulous stall specialising in game and native ingredients (try the green ants they taste like lemon myrtle leaves, scrumptious with soft cheese, ice-cream or as they suggest try in a gin & tonic. Delicatessens continental and local, selling: cured meats, cheese, dips, sauces, olives, pastas, oils and spices (a bit of everything you'd expect and more). A one stop food destinations with everything you need, which is also great for breakfast and lunch.

United Kingdom

Wales

Cardiff Central Market

Trading Hours: Monday-Saturday 8am-5pm

A traditional market still in its original Victorian building, located in the centre of Cardiff. here you will find local seafood, meat, baked goods (including of course Welsh Cakes), cheeses, spices, preserves, cured meats, fruit and vegetables.

See the Visit Cardiff Website for more information.

Riverside Farmers Market

Trading Hours: Sunday 10am-2pm

Nice weekly farmers market showcasing a great selection of Welsh local seasonal fruit and vegetables, bread, excellent meat and as you should expect in cheeses. Situated on the embankment a nice place to spend on a Sunday morning.

Visit the Riverside Market Website for details.

England

Exeter Farmers Market

Trading Hours: Thursday 9am-1pm

Fabulous small market, that makes up in quality what it lacks in size, with plenty of the best regional produce which Devon is famous for! Great seasonal seafood, fresh caught locally. Amazing local meat especially, pork, beef and lamb. Of course plenty of freshly picked and dug up fruit and vegetables. What more can I say?

See their Information page.

Bath Farmers Market

Trading Hours: 9am-1:30pm

Decent weekly farmers market, with plenty of what you'd expect from a rich rural region. Lots of top quality seasonal fresh local fruit and vegetables. Some excellent cheeses to be had. There’s freshly baked traditional pastries, buns, slices, sweets and bread along with the now more common organic, gluten free and sourdough varieties. The local meat and seafood is also of a pretty high standard

See the Bath Farmers Market Website for more details.

London

Borough Market

Trading hours: Limited Market: Monday and Tuesday 10am-5pm, Full Market: Wednesday and Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 8am-6pm and Sunday 8am-5pm

The markets as we know them today began 20 odd years ago with a handful of wholesalers began opening to the public (yes I was there being a great lover of Brindisa and Neals Yard.) It is now grown into a monster out of control, with producers and suppliers descending from all over the country. That is not to say it’s not worth a visit, with an amazing choice of produce, some of it exceptional. So yes I do go there to buy my food supplies when in London and still recommend a visit.

With everything from seasonal fruit and vegetables, poultry meat and game, seafood, cured goods, oils and vinegars (including cobnut), olives, spices, preserves, condiments, baked goods, chocolates and sweets, delectable cheese, and what market wouldn’t be complete without truffles (the underground variety). You belly won't go empty here with a huge selection to suit everyone down to the fussiest eaters.

See Borough Market Website for more information.

North End Road Markets, Fulham

Trading hours: Monday to Saturday 8am-6pm

North End Rd Markets is a traditional market dating back 130 years. with plenty of local and international fruit and vegetables varying in quality and prices, great for everyday and weekly shopping. There’s also a few wholesalers selling cheeses and deli goods, with lots of bargains. Alongside the markets there’s some good butchers and fishmongers.

For more information, see their Website.

Portobello Road Markets, Notting Hill

Trading Hours: Monday-Wednesday 9am-6pm, Thursday 9am-1pm, Friday and Saturday 9am-7pm.

While it seems that every tourist that comes to London, visits Portobello Road Markets, there is a distinct lack of knowledge aboth the food market towards the other end of the street. The Portobello Markets are a traditional London market, with quality fruit and vegetable, bread, fishmongers and cheese stalls. On Friday and Saturdays there joined with deli goods, meat and other gourmet foods, along with food stalls to make a day of it.

Scotland

Edinburgh Farmers Market

Trading hours: Saturday 9am-2pm

Edinburgh Farmers Market is centrally located centrally on Castle terrace near Princes Gardens. An excellent market varying in size in to time of the year. This region in Scotland as is all of the country rich in produce. An excellent selection of fresh local produce, seasonal fruit and vegetables, cheeses, seafood, poultry, meat and game (of course that includes, haggis, black pudding and venison.)

Stockbridge Farmers Market

Trading hours: Sunday 10am-5pm

I love Stockbridge market, it a small market with a limited but fabulous selection of meat, seafood, preserves, fruit and vegetables. A good selection of hot food and drinks also available especially needed on cold Edinburgh mornings.

Belguim

Gare du Midi Market, Brussels

Trading hours: Sunday 7am–1pm

A must to visit. The largest market in Belgium and the third largest in Europe. Food and colours on an international scale. A loud, busy and bustling market with an amazing choice of produce along with much more.

Place du Chatelain Market, Brussels

Trading Hours: Wednesday 2pm-7pm

A lovely small Wednesday afternoon and evening market with a good vibe. Lots of delicious food including yummy cheeses, cured meats, bread and organic wine. A nice selection of meat, seafood, flowers, fruit and vegetables. Not a place to find a bargain a place to enjoy in a lovely part of Brussels.

USA

San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, California

Trading Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10am-2pm, Saturday 8am-2pm

San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Markets is everything a good farmers market should be. It is run by the non profit group CUESA (Centre for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture). The selection is amazing with a great focus on local seasonal ingredients. Plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, meat, preserves, bread, cheeses and flowers, many of which are organic.

Tuesday and Thursday the market is smaller just running outside the front of the building on Saturday a much larger market extends down the sides and back looking over the bay. Here you will see local chefs with trolleys purchasing ingredients for their restaurants. A great place to visit and fill your fridge with delicious produce or simply come to enjoy some of the amazing food on offer. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning in San Francisco.

Greece

Athens Central Market (Varvakios Agora)

Trading Hours: Monday-Saturday 7am-3pm

Athens Central market is a foodies delight. A lively bustling market full of visual delights. The halls of the markets contain the freshest of Greek meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables. The meat hall is filled with hanging carcases and in the seafood one piles of fish (be warned the floor can get quiet damp so wear sensible shoe.)

With such a huge selection and competition among traders, prices are low. Shops surrounding the markets specialise in spices, cured meats, olives, vinegars and oils. The market is one of my highlights when visiting Athens, my holiday apartment’s fridge is always full to the brim, as we struggle to consume the food I couldn't resist purchasing.