Market day - every day – published in Noosa Hinterliving October 2009

Farmers’ markets are so colourful and such fun.  They are now an integral part of many people’s lives as they provide fresh, local farm produce.  In Australia there are now over a hundred farmers’ markets, with the first officially trading in 1999. To locate the farmer’s market in your area, we  have the Australian Framers’ Markets Association which publishes an annual guidebook on the markets.  More markets appear each year in response to our preference for local, fresh, organic farm produce.

On the Sunshine Coast we have a very active and vibrant farmers’ market scene with over ten markets happening each week.  The Noosa Framers’ Market operates every Sunday morning and is probably the most well known; others include the Big Pineapple, and the very recently opened Nambour market located at the primary school, Bulcock Street at Caloundra and Caloundra Country Market, Cotton Tree, Eumundi, Fisherman’s Road at Maroochydore, Maleny, Noosa Harbour, Peregian, Pomona, Yandina and Witta, and Mapleton is about to launch their own in October.  Our local ‘Regional Foodie’, Petra Frieser, recently wrote and published Shane Stanely’s Noosa Farmers’ Market, with delicious, mouthwatering recipes and great photos of its’ succulent produce. 

Sunshine Coast and Hinterland residents, with preferences for fresh, local produce, and with concern for environmental and ‘food miles’ issues, have enthusiastically embraced our local farmers’ markets.  Nature intended us to eat a variety of foods – foods in season – so we have the correct balance of nutrients and do not eat too much of any one thing.

At the markets pleasure is gained from talking to the farmers and artisans who actually grew the vegetables, raised the chickens, made the preserves and condiments, baked the bread, made the cheese….it provides town and city dwellers with a much-needed  connection to the land and the source of our food.  As Michael Pollan says in his latest book ‘In defence of food: the myth of nutrition and the pleasures of eating” (2008), food is about enjoyment, not just the eating part but the shopping, preparation and the cooking.

I have just returned from France where the local market has always been an intrinsic part of the French daily life….there are markets in Paris and the provinces every day. It was only in recent times that the major farmers’ market, located at Les Halles, in the very heart of Paris, was moved to an outer suburb. Although it caused such traffic chaos, with farmers’ trucks clogging the roads in and out of Paris, Parisians were still outraged that their “local” market was being moved! 

Every village in France has their market day each week, when farmers and local producers bring their harvests to town to sell.  They chat happily about their product, its growing or method of production and willingly give cooking tips and recipes on how to achieve the best results.   Food is a central part of French family life – the midday two hour shut down whilst everyone goes home to lunch is part of the tradition in the country, and the French insist on maintaining these traditions.

These French markets are a foodie’s paradise.  The range and varieties of produce is astounding – from charcuterie, meats, duck, fish, vegetables, fruits and flowers, many varieties of mushrooms, cheeses, oils, wines, seeds and spices, to kitchen and household items, napery, clothing, soaps, giftware…almost everything one could possibly need.  There are stalls with many varieties of mushrooms, onions, potatoes and countless spices!  Just the colours, freshness and aromas alone are a feast for the senses and a photographers dream…without even mentioning the delicious taste sensations!

We shopped at many of these markets – in Rue Moufftard and Porte de la Villette in Paris, at Joigny and Beaune in Burgundy, Portiragnes, on the Canal du Midi, Cassis, Nice, Vaison la Romaine and Isle sur La Sorgue in Provence, Sarlat and St. Cyprien in the Dordogne, Saumur, Thouas and  Le Puy Notre Dame in the Loire – relishing the countless varieties of charcuterie, cheeses, breads, berries, figs, tomatoes, mushrooms, beans, zucchinis, artichokes, greens – there is something divine about the French thin green bean!

The most interesting farmers’ market we visited was in the Loire, near the tiny village of Le Puy Notre Dame, where the produce is available on advance order only. The farmers require orders for their produce up to three months prior to delivery.  You place the order, directly with the farmer for exactly what you require, you pay on order and on the market evening – Thursdays from 4.30 until 6.30pm, at a small square in the town, the farmers deliver their goods, all beautifully presented, packed and labeled.  There is no wastage – they produce what is required, they are paid in advance and so everyone is a winner.  The buyer is getting the most delicious, freshest food – eggs, superb fresh butter made in pretty moulds and  wrapped in special waxed paper, honey fresh from the bee-keeper, cheeses, the meat  is butchered to order, vegetables….all completely seasonal and vibrantly fresh.  The deliveries are made from the boot of the car or from the truck – no frills such as stalls! 

Berries were in season whilst we were in France, and so the markets were full of the beautiful reds and crimsons of strawberries, blackberries and raspberries.  These berries were sweet and delicious to eat, without any additions. For a fresh and simple dessert, splash sparkling white or some Framboise or Cassis liqueur over the berries and leave to macerate for an hour or two, then  serve with homemade ice cream and a langue du chat biscuit. This is a lovely dessert, especially in our hot Queensland summers.

At On the Ridge, one of our summer favourites is Soupe de fraises au vin rouge – Strawberries in red wine – cooked with spices in red wine, served at room temperature with vanilla ice cream and langue du chats.  For the recipe for the strawberries and the langue du chat biscuits, check in our dessert recipe section.