Of the Otago Farmers Market

I was in Dunedin, New Zealand over the last weekend to celebrate a friend achieving her Ph.D. We had a bit of time on our hands so decided to visit the Otago Farmers Market. It really wasn’t a hard decision given my current tendency to explore these places.The weather was perfect which made the overall experience so much better, and my first impression was that this event is seriously well-organised and has a huge base of support. It’s on every Saturday morning, and is situated at the iconic Dunedin Railway Station.The vendors here showcase the best of the region. And they have such a huge pride in Otago and in what they produce.The first stall that caught my eye was someone selling cherries. You just know that Christmas is around the corner when you see cherries.There were vendors selling venison salami (hunted not farmed), hazelnuts, and more.There were many producers of organic vegetables, and punnets of vegetable and herb seedlings.The regional cheesemakers were represented. Whitestone and Evansdale. I loved the hustle and bustle of the Evansdale caravan.You were able to purchase breads, bacon and ham products (note: Havoc Pork makes great bacon), and seafood.There were hobby-businesses selling products like olive oil, honey, candles.There were dried fruit vendors. There were buskers.Dunedin institutions were represented: “Who ate all the pies”, and the “Bacon Buttie Man”.You could purchase great coffee, crepes, stunningly good lamb kebabs and more.I had a major flashback to my childhood when I encountered gooseberries for sale. My dad had a bush and I remember many unpleasant hours picking and then top-and-tailing this fruit.Of course, I found out years later that he didn’t particularly like gooseberries, but they grew well in his garden. Riiiight.I loved that there was a mobile kitchen where chef Alison Lambert was demonstrating recipes which used products that were being sold in the market on that day. A truly fantastic idea.This market was awarded Farmers Market of the Year for 2011, by consumer vote. And it rightfully deserves this accolage in my opinion. I absolutely loved it. And if I were living in Dunedin, it'd probably become my second home!- S