Best of Canberra - Fresh produce

Unfortunately the EPIC farmers markets have become too expensive, in the early years it was great but now stall holders seem to think they can charge what ever they want and people will pay, a few examples are Sabago potatoes at $5/kg at epic and 99c/kg at Fyshwick markets, pumpkin $4/kg at epic $1.29/kg at Fyshwick.

It’s still great to buy from local growers, I was a bit surprised to find ginger at the farmers markets, so I’m not sure where these farmers are farming.

For me Fyswick markets has good competition and great range I shop at wiffens first

Yep – the backyard is a great source of super-fresh veg – well herbs and beans mostly at this time of year. and lemons and rhubarb.

I love to grow fresh veg, and it would be great if everyone did, but I understand that most can’t and don’t have time or space.

It is a shame the exercise fanatics cant understand that not everyone can walk, jog or ride to work every day. Great if you can – it isn’t for everyone.

Canberra’s Farmers Market at EPIC BEST EVER!!!!! Freshest fruit vegetables, honey, meat , seafood you name it they have it. HATE visiting any other markets for my fresh vegetables and Fruit and anything else

Ezy said :

Maya123 said :

From your own garden. When you come home from work, walk out to the garden, and say, what’s for dinner? Then base dinner around whatever you find ready to pick in the garden that night.

it is a big ask for you to come home from work every night and be able to cook dinner.

When I used to work (I’m retired now), I came home from work and cooked most nights, as did my tenants. None of us found that difficult. Takeaways were rare. I would have one about once a fortnight, and from memory I think the tenants were similar. We all came from backgrounds where it was natural to cook dinner, and takeaways were not part of our life experiences.

Ezy said :

Maya123 said :

From your own garden. When you come home from work, walk out to the garden, and say, what’s for dinner? Then base dinner around whatever you find ready to pick in the garden that night.

Are you serious? I would love to know if there is anyone out there in Canberra who is totally self sufficient food wise. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for the people growing their own food – but it is a big ask for you to come home from work every night and be able to cook dinner.

I had a tiny plot in my last townhouse that I managed to cook some meals with. It does require some knowledge to do all year round though, which people may not have the time or the expertise. Another factor is the space? What are people meant to do in flats?

In my opinion – if you can’t grow a little garden to give yourself some fresh produce, support those that do.

In my last house I grew most of my vegetables. I managed to find this part of dinner each night by eating what was available and not expecting to have something that wasn’t available. So if I didn’t have any carrots available I would eat what was in the garden. One needs to be flexible. I stored potatoes, pumpkins and dried beans for winter. Plus bottled fruit and made my own jams, sauces, etc. I did buy meat, flour, oil, etc. It was only the vegetables that I was mostly self sufficient with. If necessary, mostly I could usually put together an all vegetable dinner if that was all that was available, but I mostly just had the vegetables as part of the meal, although a large part. It is possible and lots of people manage it. I did have a house garden though, so I had room on my 450sq. mt block for gardens. I wasn’t living in a unit. Yes in a unit it would be difficult, but I would hazard a guess most people live in houses.
I will be growing many of my vegetables again, when my new garden is up and running.

Just today realised that greengrocer in Jamison Centre has closed. They always had a good supply, usually much cheaper than the neighbouring Coles. I have a family member who eats pretty much nothing but cabbage and cauliflower, and this shop always had BIG ones. Their mushrooms were always cheaper too. Very sad to see them go. Will have to go back to the Belco markets. Colesworths just doesn’t cut it in the fruit and veg department.

Argonaut said :

Farmer’s market at EPIC on Saturdays. All produce is labelled so you know if it comes from the stallholder, or if they are acting as an agent for another producer. I LOVE this system, as it means consumers know exactly who they are supporting.

I can’t face EPIC in winter, and the crowds the rest of the time. Choku Bai Jo works well.

Farmer’s market at EPIC on Saturdays. All produce is labelled so you know if it comes from the stallholder, or if they are acting as an agent for another producer. I LOVE this system, as it means consumers know exactly who they are supporting.

Maya123 said :

From your own garden. When you come home from work, walk out to the garden, and say, what’s for dinner? Then base dinner around whatever you find ready to pick in the garden that night.

Got any recipes for paspallum, crab grass, gum leaves and copious quantities of ivy?

Maya123 said :

From your own garden. When you come home from work, walk out to the garden, and say, what’s for dinner? Then base dinner around whatever you find ready to pick in the garden that night.

Are you serious? I would love to know if there is anyone out there in Canberra who is totally self sufficient food wise. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for the people growing their own food – but it is a big ask for you to come home from work every night and be able to cook dinner.

I had a tiny plot in my last townhouse that I managed to cook some meals with. It does require some knowledge to do all year round though, which people may not have the time or the expertise. Another factor is the space? What are people meant to do in flats?

In my opinion – if you can’t grow a little garden to give yourself some fresh produce, support those that do.

From your own garden. When you come home from work, walk out to the garden, and say, what’s for dinner? Then base dinner around whatever you find ready to pick in the garden that night.

Without a doubt, Saturday farmer’s markets at EPIC. I don’t have a particular favourite stall though – I tend to buy different things from different vendors.

I do think it is unfortunate that you are running this ‘best of’ in the dead of winter, as the glory days of fresh produce are only a month or two away!

Another vote for the farmers market at EPIC. I really like knowing that the fresh produce has been grown locally, is in season and was likely picked within 48 hours of purchase. New season apples from the farmers markets are some of the best I’ve ever tasted.

However, I always end up doing most of my fruit and veg shopping at Ziggy’s at the Fyshwick markets. It’s closer to home and has more flexible opening hours than the farmers markets. The fresh produce is always good (much better than the limp stuff you buy from Coles or Woolies), and reasonably priced, too.

Without any doubt – it’s the farmers markets. Wether it be the Saturday markets at EPIC or Sunday at CIT in Woden. You are able to talk directly to the growers and you know your money is staying right here. I don’t shop anywhere else for my fresh produce. If I am in a pickle and have forgotten something, Choku Bai Jo in Curtin.