Category: In the Spotlight

Mt Claremont Farmers Market

On Saturday, we visited the Mt Claremont Farmers Market for the second time. We first went just a week ago and it made my day, so I simply had to go back even though it's about 15 to 20 minutes away. (That would be nothing if I was still living in the country, but for urban Perth it seems quite a hike.) Also, not that I needed an excuse to return, we had bought some delicious fresh milk in glass bottles, no less! And wanted to return the bottles and re-stock. :-)

The concept behind farmers markets is simple. They aim to bring together producers and consumers in a win-win situation: consumers can get ultra-fresh seasonal, local food direct from the grower, and the grower (presumably) makes a profit. But it goes further than that: it fosters community. As a consumer and a lover of good food, it is fantastic to talk with the stall holders, who I've found are really excited and passionate about their products and proud of their high standards and sustainable practices, and are more than happy to talk about where they're located, how their goods are grown or processed (or not processed, as the case may be), and how to prepare and enjoy the more unusual or unfamiliar produce. This, in turn, leaves me feeling excited and passionate about it too.

Something I really appreciate is that all the stallholders I've spoken with are either local, or use local produce. I refuse to buy produce and a lot of other imported or "high food miles" products from the major supermarkets because of their irresponsibility when it comes to sustainability (don't get me started on that... down, rant! Down!) and it is just a delight to be able to buy directly from producers from in or around the city, or at most a couple of hours drive, depending on the product.

There are many different stalls besides those offering fresh fruit and vegetables. There's bread, juice, cheese, milk, mushrooms, eggs, seafood, meat, plants, flowers, pasta and pasta sauce, cupcakes, chutneys and relishes, olives and olive oils, herbs, coffee, chocolate and takeaway food. There are even occasional visits from Old MacDonald's Travelling Farm for the children. Altogether there are over 45 stalls.

However, summarising the stalls in a sentence or two does none of the stalls justice. Products are generally of a very high quality. Much on offer is organic, including beef and pork from the wonderful Spencers Brook Farm (I can't wait to try their chorizo!), and some is also biodynamic, and the eggs we saw were all marked "free range".

And, as I mentioned, last weekend we took home some delicious fresh milk from Sunnydale Dairy, which — unlike anything we can buy in the shops, has not been homogenised, so that deliciously old-fashioned layer of cream from the milk rises to the surface in the glass bottle. Ahhh... memories of my childhood.

Speaking of childhood, the markets are very family friendly. There is a playground for the kids, and tables and chairs set up nearby for parents to sit with a coffee or a snack while the kids play. When it's there, the kids will love the Old MacDonald's Travelling Farm which had baby goats, ducks, chicks, chickens, a piglet, and more. The whole atmosphere of the markets is relaxed and friendly, and as their parents shop and chat with stall-holders, kids can absorb the knowledge that there are real people — and animals — behind the food they eat.

I'm not an early morning person but despite that, I intend to be a regular at these markets. :-)

Mt Claremont Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning at the Mt Claremont Primary School at the corner of Alfred Rd and Montgomery Rd. The new hours, starting this coming Saturday 10th April, are 8am to 12pm.

Where

Mt Claremont Primary School
103 Alfred Rd
MT CLAREMONT WA 6010

When

Every Saturday morning, 8am–12pm, rain hail or shine.

Contact

Phone: 0411 895 10
Mt Claremont Farmers Market web site

Posted by Vicki on Tuesday, April 06, 2010 at 01:16 PM in In the Spotlight and Places.

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Olio Bello

I can't wax lyrical enough about this place. :-)

A far too brief visit to Margaret River last March saw me, despite a threatening lack of time, make a point of visiting this wonderful business based on organic products, specifically olive oil based products.

I was not really sure what to expect, but as soon as I approached the counter a warm and helpful woman, who I later discovered was co-manager with her husband, explained the oils and products with excitement and passion. Who, these days, is passionate about what they do? Yes, some... but it's uncommon... and I was totally drawn by what Diane said, because it was clear it was not simply sales propaganda but what she genuinely felt, believed, loved.

There was a huge range of produce, ranging from savouries such as chutneys, tapanades and relishes, to salad dressings, to soaps and lotions, to the extensive range of olive oils themselves — and there is an olive oil there for every palate imaginable. I was in heaven, and only budget constrained me. By far my favourite purchase has been the Lime Pressed Olive Oil, which I now use all the time in salads or drizzled on rocket leaves. It's also fantastic with stir-fries and any other occasion where a light-flavoured oil is required. The ratio of lime is subtle but perfect. This is rapidly running out so thank goodness Olio Bello offers online shopping.

Where

Olio Bello Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Lot 1 Armstrong Rd
COWARAMUP WA 6284

Contact

Phone +61 (0)8 9755 9771
Email: Olio Bello Sales
Olio Bello web site (online shopping available)

Posted by Vicki on Friday, September 25, 2009 at 12:16 PM in In the Spotlight and Organic and Places.

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