Are Farmers Markets Really Farmers Markets?

Thanks JJ, and well done, Rotary. You run a good event — its a shame a few d*ckheads means you have to be the police as well.

Mind you, we still have capsicums in our garden in Ainslie, in June! When’s the frost coming? Where are we going, and why am I in this handbasket?

Good info, jjoking, resurrecting old stories is fine, and that info was definitely very germaine. I too lift an eyebrow at things like eggplants and capsicums at local markets at this time of year! If they grew them in this district, they must have a heck of a hot glasshouse and very bright lights.

Sorry for writing on such an old thread, but i noticed today that one of the more dodgy stalls was missing from the market. when i asked one of my favourite stall holders about it he mentioned that the rotarians were due to do a farm vist to the stall holder in question and when rotary called the stall holder said dont bother we will stop coming. So that is a great result well done rotary keep up the good work i still think there are a few too many shiny queensland eggpland and red caps at the market. But it looks like you guys and girls are starting to clean it up thanks

There’s some very good info coming out here. Yes, the average city-dwelling Canberran seems to have little idea about what can be grown here, and when. Which is why I lift an eyebrow and make cynical statements, but the recent posters have explained the issues very well.

There used to be a huge market gardening operation here… Hills up Kalaroo Road, past Rodneys. Where the Pialligo Estate vineyard now is. They had quite a big operation, growing veggie crops like crucifers and turnip-family stuff in winter, lettuce etc in summer, using the good soil laid down by teh ancient river that is now the Molonglo.

There’s a big operation at Bredbo, too, mainly spuds and you’ll often see them being sold in big bags at Mother Natures.

There are still local growers of fruit and veggies and meat in teh region, but there’s less every year, and many of the newer ones are boutique operations.

Right now, it’s the tail-end of the apple season. Grannies, mainly, and then that’s it. But the number of people here who appear in spring, looking for apples, is quite astonishing. The sight of the trees just getting their blossom and new leaves on doesn’t seem to penetrate their minds at all, perhaps they think apples are like potatoes, and grow underground?!

There’s certainly considerable pressure for sellers to bring in unseasonal stuff (even from China) to feed this demand.

sepi said :

I still have tomatoes growing in my garden, so there could still be some local ones.

I think the market does a good job. The produce would cost twice as much if they were out inspecting every farm every week.

Interesting comment. The inspecting would be done by Hall rotary so i can’t see how that would put up the prices unless that it meant the “farmers” would actually have to grow the produce which might cost them more than buying in Bulk from Queensland. I understand that through the Farmers market hall rotary has become one of the most profitable rotaries, it doesn’t seem unreasonable to me for them to spend a little ensuring that the produce sold there is genuine. It shouldn’t be looked at as a perpetual money tree for the organisers, but rather the fantastic showpiece that needs continual investment.

This week I went to the markets with a plan to find out whats what. I asked every stall holder (that wasnot too busy) that I usually buy from what they thought of the markets and if every thing their was sold by who ever grew it. Just about every stall holder told me that they believed that there are a lot of people breaking the rules. some of them admit they are breaking the rules because people want some things they can’t grow. But they did say there are about 10-20 fruit and veg growers in the market that are mostlt trying to do the wright thing.

It was a very interesting listeing to the stall holders and what they have to say about fresh produce. Give it a try next week.

I still have tomatoes growing in my garden, so there could still be some local ones.

I think the market does a good job. The produce would cost twice as much if they were out inspecting every farm every week.

che the next Gleann na meala open day (the farm side of Choku Bai Jo) will probably be in spring. sorry for late response.

“If you ever go to the EPIC markets and see things you think came from the Sydney Wholesale market, tell the organisers and the stall will be kicked out unless they can prove it’s source.”

Sounds like a good idea Taco (in Principle) Last year a couple of stall holders were kicked out unfortunately this was after selling produce they had purchased from wholesalers at the Sydney markets for over two years. Another Stall holder was kicked out this year, this time only 6 months too late. The rotary club does try its best to monitor the situation, however it is pretty hard to expect them to actually know what is grown by the farmers when the monitoring is done by the rotarians, most of whom(rotarians in general) are retired or executive level public servants, with little or nno farming experience themselves. Does Hall rotary have any food production experts in their ranks? And are these “experts” visiting farms on a regular basis?
The reality is unfortunately that there will always be profiteers and conmen who will try to sell produce as their own. And i think fair play to them as most Canberrans probably don’t mind paying more for the same products as Coles/Woolworths/Fyswick-Belconnen Markets as long as they can tell their friends they got them at the farmers markets. If Champagne socialists/environmentalists need the CRFM as a placebo then good for them.

To be honest i actually think that the name of the market should be changed. Although Capital region farmers market was quite accurate at the beginning there are now only about 15-20 (being very generous) legitimate farmers with about 50-80 stall holders who might not have ever even been on a farm. These producers make food locally- for example you can buy chocolate made here in Canberra. What does that mean, well Cocoa is grown in either in Africa or central america shipped to Holland and made into chocolate then shipped to Canberra where it is melted down and added to Queensland ginger. I think the chocolates are delicious, and luckily i don’t claim to be a locavore because the food miles on each of those little chocolates is pretty scary, hence the price i guess.
I go to the East Australian Producers markets and visit the 6 or so real farmers that i get produce from every week. Almost everything i have written i have found out from the local farmers (that i have been seeing there every week for the last 4 years), from the guys in rotary jackets wandering around or just my own observations. I make sure i go early as parking can be a little tricky, lol. For everything else i go to my local grocer.

What we have to understand is people dont always tell the truth,

asking farmers/sellers at the market about their product would be ok, if everyone there were the real deal.

But really most tomatoes and eggplant at the markets this time of year do come from queensland. some stall holders dont even bother taking them out of the boxes from wholesalers.

I have seen bleeched chinese garlic there that has been rubbed with dirt to make it look local!

there are some good guys at the markets, about 10-20 stalls the rest cheat in some ways.

No One grows sweet potato in green houses it all comes from Bunderberg.

And as for price its not cheaper check the prices people you are living in deam world.

Holden Caulfield said :

The chocolate brownie lady at EPIC Farmaers Markets rocks my world!

You talking about the brownies or something else there, Holden, cause if you’re saying what I think you’re saying I’m right with you!

AngryHenry said :

I think they should put a genteic modifiers markets… I’d go for some square wartermelons, they fit in the fridge better.

Don’t need GM to make square watermelons, just a strong glass box.

AngryHenry said :

…so many people wandering around there who have no idea…

It’s painful, but the best way around this is to get there at sunrise. Most of the good stalls are already set up by then and there’s no cues, no clueless muppets and you get the chance to chat with the stall holders.

I think they should put a genteic modifiers markets on to run against them and we’ll see who comes out on top. I’d go for some square wartermelons, they fit in the fridge better.

A lot of the farmers at the markets have signs at their stalls stating where they are from. There are some guys from Thirlmere who are there and they put up photos of themselves posing amongst their crops every week. It’s old school markets, where you need to engage the seller who will be more than happy to discuss the produce they’ve grown because they’re proud of what they do.

My problem with the farmers markets is that there are so many people wandering around there who have no idea what they are doing and stop in the middle of the throughfares. It’s worth enduring for fresh fruit and veg that doesn’t go off a couple of days after purchase though.

It’s great to see some discussion on Farmers and Markets in Canberra…..shows people are thinking about what goes into their mouths….YAY!!
The Farmers markets at EPIC are run by the Hall Rotary Club and yes, in the beginning, there were a few opportunists who did buy produce from anywhere and brought it in masquerading as ‘organic’ or locally grown. Last year there was tightening up of authenticity with property inspections to verify the claims of all the stall-holders.
Heaps of information about each stall holder at the EPIC markets is available at the website http://www.capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au where each farmer lists what they actually grow AND what they are agents for.
Now – about seasonality and being able to grow certain products during winter.
Brassicas including cabbages, cauliflowers, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and the salad greens LOVE cold weather and we can certainly grow them here.
Potatoes have been grown over summer and autumn and are now being harvested as the best place to store them before use is in the ground.
Beetroot will grow for many months of the year too as will turnips.
Apples and pears have been picked from January through to May with some late varieties still being picked now.
The first flush of navel oranges have already been picked from the Narromine area and there are plenty still coming from the Riverina and different varieties of grapefruit, lemons and limes will be ready by June, as will Valencias and hopefully there are still some Sevilles around (best marmalade variety).
There are many clever and dedicated farmers at this wonderful market with the majority using growing systems in sync with nature.
Buy and feast with confidence as this is one of the very best Farmers Markets you will find in Australia!!

So much so that she takes away my ability to spell! Yummo…

The chocolate brownie lady at EPIC Farmaers Markets rocks my world!

The EPIC farmers market definitely has plenty of producers selling their own goods. There are some small, relatively-local producers (some organic) and some large scale, interstate fodder factories. You just have to get to know who’s who and what’s what.

The difference in the produce is incredible – last time I went into a Woolworths F&V section (out of necessity) I literally laughed out loud upon seeing the produce – that’s no exaggeration either! It looked god damned awful, and tasted horrible to boot. Bugs Bunny would sooner die of starvation than eat a single Woolies carrot, trust me! Bleeurrrgh!

As for truly local farmers, well, unfortunately it is fairly limited. But, it seems like there are new stall holders becoming interested in the markets, so perhaps with time this will improve. Still – try buying locally (within 100km radius) when living in Sydney and see how you go!

Who gives a flying fornication if farmers markets are really farmers markets?

If it’s good quality produce at a good price, I buy it – and going to the Farmers Markets at EPIC is a hell of a lot more enjoyable than going to Coles or that sad site at Fyshwick.

“It sounds like there is a lot of confusion between the Belconnen/Fyshwick Markets and the Farmers Market at EPIC / Woden CIT….”

That comes from calling the Fyshwick markets for so long the Farmer’s Markets. I think the growers at EPIC/Woden CIT deserve the title more.

It sounds like there is a lot of confusion between the Belconnen/Fyshwick Markets and the Farmers Market at EPIC / Woden CIT….

I shop at the EPIC Farmers market every Saturday. I like it because the fruit is usually better quality, if not cheaper than other shops (and at the very least more consistent), and it is more likely to be some unusual things about.
It’s also really nice being able to talk to the farmer about the produce sometimes, and knowing that they are getting a fair price for their goods (as opposed to Woolies/Coles only being willing to pay 30c/kg for oranges that they sell in-store for $3.99/kg), and the food can be as fresh as picked the day before!

If you ever go to the EPIC markets and see things you think came from the Sydney Wholesale market, tell the organisers and the stall will be kicked out unless they can prove it’s source.

I try and avoid buying fresh produce from the supermarkets wherever possible

Reminds me too of working at Charnwood fruit & veg (long closed) in 1990 for a few weeks or so and watching the owner pay everyone cash, work at a loss (but a front all the same) and on two occasions while I was there he went to get his produce at the Sydney Markets and came back with no produce and very cranky because he’d been to the races and gambled all the shop’s money (again apparently) which had us sent out in a frenzy to cut the bad bits off and keep going with the already aged produce.

Oh well, they still had many customers that had held them dear, which says things.

che said :

Choku Bai Jo are local farmers from outside of Hall with they’re own shop at north lyneham. Plus the owner was also the one to organise the EPIC farmers markets through Hall Rotary. EPIC has/had 2 sheds selling produce, one for local farmers and one for wholesalers driving down from Sydney. Haven’t been in a while so not sure if that is still the case.

PS, if the Chokubaijo folks ever want to let us know when they are going to hold an open day at the farm we’d love to hear about it here at RiotACT.

Good to hear. I never even think to check out those markets, my bad no doubt.

Fyshwick “markets” are retail shops, the same as woolies or any other purveyor of fruit and veggies. The shop owners get their stuff from the Sydney markets, which are where the growers bring their stuff to market and sell it through various brokers.

In the past, a certain entity controlled the quality of the f and v that was sold in Canberra, so that we all were paying 1st grade prices for 2nd grade produce. Any retailers who tried bringing in good stuff soon learned their lesson (trucks run off the road, shops burned etc). That entity is no longer as powerful as it was, so things are better now.

But the Fyshwick (and Belconnen) “markets” might as well be shops in the mall.

Hey ant which part of ” the so-called fyshwick markets are a rort ” are we missing?

It is a place that sells stuff, therefore could be seen as a market.

It is located somewhat east of Kingston, therefore is in Fyshwick.

Where is the rort?

Choku Bai Jo are local farmers from outside of Hall with they’re own shop at north lyneham. Plus the owner was also the one to organise the EPIC farmers markets through Hall Rotary. EPIC has/had 2 sheds selling produce, one for local farmers and one for wholesalers driving down from Sydney. Haven’t been in a while so not sure if that is still the case.

PS, if the Chokubaijo folks ever want to let us know when they are going to hold an open day at the farm we’d love to hear about it here at RiotACT.

I bought a mouse once at the Farmers Market. Probably the only local things in the place huh? Belconnen Markets are ok, but I still tend to get most of it from Woolies. Don’t see why with all our rural land going begging sometimes we can’t grow more seasonal stuff in Canberra ourselves but I know that’s a pipe dream. The CSIRO (or whoever owns that reserve land on Owen Dixon Drive) grows apples at the end of my street and sells them (or at least used to) in season at the gates. I liked that!

Yeah, the so-called fyshwick markets are a rort. You won’t find any local produce there. Also, they often sell 2nd grade stuff at first grade prices, although that hasn’t been as bad lately as the bad old days when a certain family ensured that this happened. The only people who could bring in first grade stuff were restaurants.

When I see apples being sold at “farmers’ markets” in spring, I lift a very big eyebrow. Farmer with a good cold store, maybe.

Of course it’s a farmer’s market. Farmers grew the produce. Oh, Canberra farmers? See #1 for the answer to that one.

Seriously, the reason you find the same old stuff across Canberra is becuase the smaller guys (e.g. belconnen and fyshwick markets) source from regional wholesale markets, e.g. Sydney. In turn wholesalers can only get what is in season and in the market that day, which is not much right now.

You need to go to the big retailers for a bit more variety, as they can source from across the country. Even that won’t get you everything, and quality can be lower.

I am interested to know if Rioters like farmer’s markets? Why?

I go to the Southside Farmers Markets and the produce available changes constantly. I have also noticed a bit of a drop off in the number of stalls in the last few weeks.

Who would have thought:

” It seems every winter there is very little change in whats available to purchase! “

Does this mean every winter, or just the winters you go there?

I believe one of the attractions of these markets is the choice of NOT buying Bowen (Qld) tomatoes, Kiwifruit grown in Italy, and garlic from China. Sure, the quality and availability varies. A bit like, well, the weather! Could this be the origin of the term “seasonal produce”? Surely not.

And, as mentioned earlier, ASK.

Also, greenhouse.

When I was there (once), I talked to a few farmers (there was garlic from Braidwood, for intstance). But another stall, I asked something like “is it all organic? Or only the items labelled as such?” and the response was along the lines of “it dependss from whom we get it that week.. sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t”

But like you say, if they have the same thing most weeks, it’s unlikely they’re actually producing it. The easiest way to tell is to ask 🙂

Yes and no.

There certainly are farmers from the local region there, but there are also some from all over the state. Ask the stall owners where they come from, and if it’s not their produce, where it comes from.

I occasionally shop for F&V at Choku Bai Jo in North Lyneham, and it’s pretty clear that what it stocks is seasonal. Often it looks like garbage if it’s barely seasonal (though if you cut the bad bits off it’s usually still edible and tastes gooooood).

Farmers markets, well, yeah, sometimes you have to wonder.

Its called a greenhouse

I would say its impossible to grow ginger and sweet potato locally but you can buy them at inflated prices at thwe show ground markets. so I agree with economiccrisis’s answer

No