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Saturday, March 12, 2011
Taste Farmers Markets New Zealand Awards 2011 Newsletter
Friday, March 11, 2011
Taste Farmers’ Market Awards 2011
MEDIA RELEASE MARCH 2011
THE FRESHEST AND TASTIEST ARE ABOUT TO BE REVEALED
Taste Farmers' Market Awards 2011
In a time of debate over high-fructose corn syrup, high salt, high fat, food miles, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and genetic engineering, it's good to know that some things stay the way they should – fresh, natural and local.
The first-ever Taste Farmers' Market Awards 2011 are out to unearth the finest, freshest, most authentic food that is value for money.
Community members are encouraged to vote for their local farmers' market in the 2011 Awards by visiting www.tastefarmersmarkets.org.nz. A trip for two to Singapore is up for grabs for one lucky voter to explore Singapore's farmers' market and join in traditional cooking classes.
"Everyone loves the taste of fresh produce, particularly when it has been grown close to home. Farmers' markets are all about celebrating seasonal, local produce that enliven our senses, and our cooking," says Chris Fortune, Chairman of the Farmers' Market New Zealand Association.
"With the price of food on the rise, farmers' markets and their affordability are growing in popularity. There has been a real shift in the attitude of consumers - New Zealanders want to know what is in their food, and how it's grown," he says.
The Taste Farmers' Markets Awards 2011 will put the spotlight on the very best markets from around the country and encourage the idea of communities supporting their local producers.
Categories at the Taste Farmers' Markets Awards 2011 include:
- Farmers' Market of the Year Award 2011 (as voted by consumers)
- Regional Farmers' Market Area of New Zealand
- Tastiest Food Producer from the Dairy
- Tastiest Food Producer from the Paddock
- Freshest Producer from the Sea
- Best Food Producer from the Kitchen Bench
- Supreme Farmers' Market Photo or Video
- Farmers' Market Manager of the Year (as voted by stallholders)
- Golden Hoe Award – Best Speaker or Presentation on Farmers' Markets
- Hungriest Media Localvore
There are around 50 farmers' markets from all corners of New Zealand who have registered, so make sure you vote for your favourite farmers' market by visiting www.tastefarmersmarkets.org.nz and go in the draw to win a trip to Singapore.
ENDS
Prepared on behalf of Taste Farmers' Markets Awards 2011 by the pr shop. For further information please contact Alysha Dingle on 09 368 1074, or email alysha@theprshop.co.nz
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Image how good that coffee tastes after 10 days !!
A 'Pop Up' Farmers' Market was held at the middle of one ofChristchurch's worst hit earthquake suburbs on Saturday morning. It was a chance for Mt Pleasant, Redcliffs, Sumner and Lyttelton locals to access fresh food in a safe community space.
Local organiser Tom Davies said he was overwhelmed with the turnout organised on very short notice, in a less than normal environment including households without power or water, closed roads and liquefaction on site.
"This was a market organised for our people by our people, with everyone pitching in to clean up the site or make homemade posters and signs. Information was spread by whatever means we could".
Cam Booker, a vegetable grower, organised the stallholders who came from as far away as the Waipara Valley in North Canterbury. "Everyone wanted to help get fresh fruit, vegetables and bread to people who have had no supermarkets or any other food outlets open locally" he said. As well as selling vegetables, Cam bought down a pallet of free royal gala apples for people to help themselves.
Angela Clifford, grower & Canterbury food supporter was also involved in organising the market. "Some of the stallholders who were there have lost 85% of their business over the last week. They can't stop their produce ripening but they now have no restaurants or other outlets to sell to. The earthquake has also put a temporary halt to the Lyttelton Farmers' Market, another source of income for them."
Coffee was free for locals and was made by a couple of guys whose CBD coffee cart business had been affected by the quake. The coffee beans came from a local Christchurch roastery who have lost just about everyone one of their retail outlets in the city.
The cost of the coffee was covered by the profits from another stallholder selling bread who donated the money to the market.
"The coffee queue was enormous" laughed Angela "but no-one was leaving it". "Imagine how good your first coffee in 10 days tastes!"
Celebrity chef Jonny Schwass & Masterchef winner Brett McGregor cut up the onions for the BBQ. "We're just trying to help build the community up from ground level and one of the best ways to do that is the good old-fashioned kiwi sausage sizzle".
"We were offered so much support," said Tom, "the Darfield community trucked in free drinking water that didn't need to be boiled, and everyone brought down their containers to be filled".
One of the most poignant moments was the singing from the Linwood school students. They were sharply dressed as they were going straight from the market to the funeral of their classmate who had been killed in the earthquake.
"It's such an extraordinary time. The resilience of the human spirit is amazing - watching people hug and greet each other. It's amazing what can grow from the dust and rubble."
The 'Pop Up' Farmers' Market will happen again this coming Saturday 12 March from 10am to 1pm at the Mt Pleasant Community Centre, McCormacks Bay Rd Mt Pleasant Christchurch.
For further information, please contact::
Media enquiries: Angela Clifford 0274 242 871
Market enquiries : Tom Davies 0276 007 779
For Images of 'Pop Up' Farmer's Market please contact Farmers' Market NZ - info@farmersmarkets.org.nz or 021 935995
Chris Fortune
Chairperson Farmers Markets NZ
members@farmersmarkets.org.nz
www.farmersmarkets.org.nz
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Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Farmers' Markets New Zealand: Taste Farmers Markets New Zealand Awards 2011
WIN A TRIP FOR TWO TO SINGAPORE BY VOTING FOR
YOUR FAVORITE FARMERS' MARKET
Friday, December 31, 2010
So what is a localvore then ?
Sounds like some sort of posh y name for somebody who has too much time on their hands.
Well you can be a herbivore or an omnivore, so why not somebody who pays attention to where their food comes from and commits to eating local food as much as possible? This is not some nutcase religion, it is just about eating local. It is not an all-or-nothing venture, it is all about helping the environment, protecting your family's health and supporting small farmers and food producers in your region.
The first bite to being a localvore is to determine what local means to yourself and your family: it could be food from a 100-kilometre radius, if could be from the whole of the South Island or even the whole of New Zealand. It is an individual decision that you need to be comfortable with.
The key is that by creating a boundary, no matter how large or small, you are becoming conscious of the origin of your food. You can even go one step further and draw a circle around your home or region and this will help you with your food choices.
We are all born localvores, it is just that sometimes we forget just what is in our backyard and what is in season.
We may not be able to tackle the big issues of the world, but we are able to help build sustainable and connected communities by supporting each other.
Five ways to become a localvore in New Zealand
Visit a farmers' market. There are now more than 50 located from Invercargill to the Bay of Islands. Some are big, some are small, but the key is that they represent their regional seasons and producers. Farmers' markets keep small farms in business. Rather than going through a middle man, the farmer or producer will take home nearly all of the money you spend on regional produce – there are no on-sellers, resellers or people that just buy at the cheapest price and try to move it as fast as they can, regardless of the quality or where it has come from.
Ask your supermarket manager where your meat, produce and dairy is coming from. Remember that supermarket managers are influenced by what you say and do. Let the managers know what's important to you.
Preserve a local food of the season. By freezing, bottling and preserving you get to eat and enjoy flavours all year.
Have a look for restaurants in your area that support local farmers and producers. Ask the restaurants about ingredients or ask your favourite farmers what restaurant accounts they have. Frequent businesses that support farmers in your region.
Ask about origins. What you may have taken for granted as New Zealand-produced may come as a surprise.
HONEY-SPICED APRICOTS
Serve these with dollops of yoghurt for breakfast or dinner, or add a crumble topping and bake in the oven for a quick dessert. If all else fails, just eat them straight from the jar.
2kg whole Marlborough apricots
cinnamon sticks and cloves for each jar
4 cups white wine vinegar
500g Marlborough honey
With a fork, prick the apricots all over and place them into cold sterilised jars. Place two cloves and one cinnamon stick in each jar. Bring the vinegar and honey to the boil and simmer for five minutes until it just starts to thicken, then pour over the apricots. Leave to cool before sealing the jars. For best flavour, leave for one month and use within 12 months.
Well you can be a herbivore or an omnivore, so why not somebody who pays attention to where their food comes from and commits to eating local food as much as possible? This is not some nutcase religion, it is just about eating local. It is not an all-or-nothing venture, it is all about helping the environment, protecting your family's health and supporting small farmers and food producers in your region.
The first bite to being a localvore is to determine what local means to yourself and your family: it could be food from a 100-kilometre radius, if could be from the whole of the South Island or even the whole of New Zealand. It is an individual decision that you need to be comfortable with.
The key is that by creating a boundary, no matter how large or small, you are becoming conscious of the origin of your food. You can even go one step further and draw a circle around your home or region and this will help you with your food choices.
We are all born localvores, it is just that sometimes we forget just what is in our backyard and what is in season.
We may not be able to tackle the big issues of the world, but we are able to help build sustainable and connected communities by supporting each other.
Five ways to become a localvore in New Zealand
Visit a farmers' market. There are now more than 50 located from Invercargill to the Bay of Islands. Some are big, some are small, but the key is that they represent their regional seasons and producers. Farmers' markets keep small farms in business. Rather than going through a middle man, the farmer or producer will take home nearly all of the money you spend on regional produce – there are no on-sellers, resellers or people that just buy at the cheapest price and try to move it as fast as they can, regardless of the quality or where it has come from.
Ask your supermarket manager where your meat, produce and dairy is coming from. Remember that supermarket managers are influenced by what you say and do. Let the managers know what's important to you.
Preserve a local food of the season. By freezing, bottling and preserving you get to eat and enjoy flavours all year.
Have a look for restaurants in your area that support local farmers and producers. Ask the restaurants about ingredients or ask your favourite farmers what restaurant accounts they have. Frequent businesses that support farmers in your region.
Ask about origins. What you may have taken for granted as New Zealand-produced may come as a surprise.
HONEY-SPICED APRICOTS
Serve these with dollops of yoghurt for breakfast or dinner, or add a crumble topping and bake in the oven for a quick dessert. If all else fails, just eat them straight from the jar.
2kg whole Marlborough apricots
cinnamon sticks and cloves for each jar
4 cups white wine vinegar
500g Marlborough honey
With a fork, prick the apricots all over and place them into cold sterilised jars. Place two cloves and one cinnamon stick in each jar. Bring the vinegar and honey to the boil and simmer for five minutes until it just starts to thicken, then pour over the apricots. Leave to cool before sealing the jars. For best flavour, leave for one month and use within 12 months.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Taste Farmers Markets New Zealand Awards 2011
TASTE FARMERS’ MARKETS NEW ZEALAND AWARDS 2011
Success is easy pickings for local growers
Everyone loves the taste of fresh produce, particularly when it has been grown close to home. Farmers’ Markets are about celebrating seasonal and local goods – and the best are about to be judged.
With more than 50 Farmers’ Markets throughout the country, the inaugural Taste Farmers’ Market Awards 2011 will be out to find the finest in each category of fresh, local, authentic food that is value for money.
Objectives of the Taste Farmers' Markets Award
The FM movement is about building and strengthening local communities, supports local businesses. The brand is environmentally sustainable and projects fresh, seasonal, quality. Customers are interested in their health, knowing where their food comes from and are well read and educated people. They’re also looking for social interaction and learning more about foodObjectives of the Taste Farmers’ Market New Zealand Awards 2011
• To celebrate Farmers’ Markets and their regional food producers
• To support regional food producers and networks through celebration of achievements
• To stimulate additional business for Farmers’ Markets and food producers of NZ
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Market shopping
Market shopping
Market shopping
My TV show Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook was filmed at my little cabin on the shores of Lake Wanaka, where I am lucky enough to maintain a large vegetable garden that provides much of my family's fresh produce.
I have always grown my own vegetables - something that was instilled in me by my father Fred, who maintained a prodigious garden that provided us with a nutritious and interesting diet.
When I started cooking, I learnt early on that the fresher your ingredients, the less work there is for you in the kitchen. With nature on your side it’s easy to be a great cook and enjoy delicious meals at the drop of the hat.
The fluorescent atmosphere of a supermarket may make everything look good, but looks don’t necessarily equate to flavour or succulence. And it is this difference in flavour which goes a long way to explain the phenomenal popularity of farmers' markets.
In the freshly picked harvests of local growers, we discover older and lesser known varieties of produce grown because they taste good, not because they suit the long life requirements of a supermarket supply chain.
I also like the fact farmers' markets create a sense of community – something fast disappearing from our lives as people get busier and the big chains bump out old-timer providores.
Each week at the markets, the same friendly faces greet and cajole. I love this chance to try something new and be tempted by an artisan spread, cheese or specialty sausage. So, even without a backyard garden, it's possible to enjoy what is in season at its very best. New Zealand is blessed with some wonderful farmers’ markets where you can support local growers and cook in sync with nature's harvests.
Here’s a list of some of my favourite local markets around the country:
- Bay of Islands Farmers' Market, Hobson Ave, Kerikeri.
- Matakana Village Famers' Market, 2 Matakana Valley Rd, Matakana.
- Clevedon Village Farmers' Market, Clevedon Showgrounds.
- The City Farmers' Market at Britomart, Auckland City.
- Grey Lynn Farmer's Market, 510 Richmond Rd, Grey Lynn, Auckland.
- Oratia Farmers Market, 99 Parrs Rd, Oratia, Waitakere City.
- Tauranga Farmers' Market, Tauranga Primary School.
- Coroglen Farmers' Market, Coroglen Community Hall.
- Gisborne Farmers' Market, Army Hall Car park, Fitzherbert Ave, Gisborne.
- Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market, Hawke's Bay Showgrounds, Hastings.
- Farmers' Market Taranaki, Currie St, New Plymouth.
- Upper Hutt Farmers' Market, Russell St, Upper Hutt.
- Marlborough Farmers' Market, corner Market and High streets.
- Nelson Farmers' Market, Fashion Island, corner Hardy and Morrison Streets.
- Christchurch Farmers' Market, 16 Kahu Rd, Riccarton, Christchurch.
- Methven Farmers' Market, The Square, Main St, Methven.
- Otago Farmers' Market, Dunedin Railway Station.
- Central Otago Farmers’ Market, Melmore Tce, Old Cromwell Town.
- Wanaka Farmers Market, Ardmore and Dungarven streets, on Pembroke Park.
Annabel Langbein is the star of the new TV ONE series Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook(7pm Saturdays).
Watch more Annabel Langbein recipe videos.
Get Annabel Langbein's Salsa Verde recipe.
Get all Annabel Langbein's cooking tips here.
See the cookbook Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook for all the recipes from the TV show.
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