Fresh & tasty treats and a sense of community: A guide to the Newcastle City Farmers & Makers Market

by Susan Whelan on February 14, 2011

With a village market atmosphere and a fantastic range of farm fresh produce and meats, gourmet foods, boutique wines, artisan crafts and lifestyle products, the Newcastle City Farmers and Makers Market is a wonderful place to spend an hour or two on a Sunday morning.

I was aware of the Markets for quite some time before my first visit and I regret that it took me so long to venture over to the Showground to see what products were on offer. We spent the morning wandering around the various stalls and returned home with bags full of fruit and vegetables, eggs, spices, chilli sauce, Greek sweets, German shortbreads and a Christmas pudding complete with brandy butter from the Adamstown Pudding Kitchen stall.

The colours and fragrances at the Markets offer a feast for the senses compared with the subdued experience of shopping for fruit and vegetables at the local supermarket. My children enjoyed exploring the stalls almost as much as I did and later commented on how tasty the fruits were that we purchased.

The Markets have been operating since April 2004 and usually feature between 120 – 130 stallholders. The producers are predominantly from the local area and regional NSW with a wonderful variety of stalls offering seasonal fruit and vegetables, eggs, baked goods, meats, spices and seasonings, and gourmet food items. Stallholders are happy to take time to explain different items, offer samples and suggest recipes or preparation ideas. We have always received friendly and personalised service at each stall we visit, despite the bustling crowd.

In addition to the fresh farm produce, there are several stalls selling handcrafted items including wooden toys, clothing, jewellery and pet supplies. There are personal and specialty product stalls selling items such as soaps, hand creams, flowers, boutique wines, teas and kitchen utensils. Several hot food and snack stalls offer an opportunity for a brief break or distraction for children before exploring the rest of the products the Market has to offer.

The Market has something for everyone including gluten-free and organic produce. Each market day, market chef Stephane Pois offers a kids’ cooking session, taking small groups of children on a tour of the produce stalls then teaching them to prepare a basic recipe in the specially built market kitchen. There are also pony rides and a jumping castle available (ticket purchase required).

While many of the stalls are under cover, the markets are set up in an open area and the shopping experience can be influenced by bad weather. There is parking available in the streets surrounding the Showground, or within the Showground for a $2 parking fee. This money is used to improve the Market facilities. Remember to bring along shopping bags and an insulated bag or esky for meat, seafood and dairy purchases. Some stalls offer EFTPOS facilities, although many function on a cash only basis.

Whether you are interested in purchasing farm-fresh, seasonal produce or browsing the many specialty items available, The Newcastle City Farmers and Makers Market is a wonderful way to directly support farmers and artisans and to connect with the local community.

Details:
Newcastle City Farmers and Makers Market
When: Most Sundays, 8am – 1pm. Check website to confirm Market dates.
Location: Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow
Parking: Showgrounds via Griffiths Rd entrance. Cost $2. Some parking available in surrounding streets.
Website: www.newcastlecityfarmersmarkets.com.au
Twitter: @NewcastleFarmer

Photos courtesy of Susan Whelan