Farmers Market

Upper Hutt: Farmers Market (Video)

Well after last weeks effort I promised myself that this week I would get there earlier.

Attendance was good as another pleasant day had occurred, purchased a Cup Cake from the Cup Cake stall, and got a huge sugar overload. Bit of competition from the alternative market in the Mall, but to not put it to nicely had the tack that I generally avoid. It is a craft /tinkers market.

No doubt both have a place and will feed off one another, but it is early days yet, they need to become established to survive and given the rigorous conditions to become a Farmers Market, they will need support to outlast several wet Sundays, being outside. The word on the street is that an organic vegetable supplier is coming, which will hopefully boost numbers. I also have the feel that an organic market as part of a larger market akin to something like the Lower Hutts Riverbank Market would help, but it’s not my project and I do wish them all the best especially the suppliers. (see here for more details and links from last week)

Upper Hutt Farmers Market

Well I was late, told myself I would have to be early but didn’ t time my arrival till about 11.30.

Seems I missed all the activity which occurred after 9am, so ably I’m handing the review over to TheInquiringMind, who did arrive early and posted a comprehensive review on his blog.

I did have the opportunity to catch up with Chris who is responsible for the web presence of the market and Helen part of Upper Hutt Experience. They were extremely pleased with the inaugural result and received a lot of encouraging feedback from both suppliers and visitors, so I am sure that this will develop into a great asset for the city.

Enjoy the photos courtesy of Chris and if you are up that way early Sunday enjoy!

Check them out at Upper Hutt Farmers Market Website and Twitter account

Upper Hutt: Farmers Market to open on November 1st

An authentic farmers’ market in Upper Hutt, operating on Sundays in Russell St, is set for a November 1 opening.

Organised by the Experience Upper Hutt promotion group, the market will operate for four hours from 8.30am every Sunday, north of Thomson Ln, in a street area closed to traffic, Experience director Hellen Swales says.

“It has been organised and will run as an authentic farmers’ market, one of about 40 in the country,” Ms Swales says.

“Upper Hutt Farmers’ Market  A Fresh Xperience,” is already approved as a member of the Farmers’ Market Association New Zealand, she says.

The association describes the venture as “a food market where local growers, farmers and artisan food producers sell their wares directly to consumers”.

“Vendors may only sell what they grow, farm, pickle, preserve, bake, smoke or catch themselves from within a defined local area.”

“We’re hoping the market will act as an incubator for small businesses that need to grow,” Ms Swales says. By COLIN WILLIAMS – Upper Hutt Leader

Location of Thomson Lane beside Russell Street,  Farmers Market will be next door to Carpark.

This is great news, if you are a foodie (who isn’t) it really does need the support of people who live in the Hutt Valley, as the initial stages are always tough going for these ventures.

Having visited the Farmers Market in Hawkes Bay, you have to be early, so I guess November the 1st will be an early rise to arrive at 8.30am.

There are other Farmers Markets around like the Wairarapa Farmers Market  at Solway Showgrounds which I haven’t attended, but as a side note is hosting the NZ premier of the Movie “Food, Inc” (see trailer) on Wednesday 1st Oct at the Regent Cinema in Masterton, if interested see their website for details.