The City Farmers’ Market at Britomart Twilight Market
With a new midweek evening market at Britomart, it’s now even easier to buy local fresh produce direct from the people who grew or made it – just as Aucklanders did 100 years ago.
The City Farmers’ Market in the historical Britomart precinct is celebrating the change of season with the opening of an extra evening market, starting on Wednesday October 15. The twilight markets will be held at the usual Galway Street location from 4:30 to 6:30pm every Wednesday until Easter 2009, in addition to the regular year-round Saturday morning market.
The only authentic farmers’ market in Auckland City, the City Farmers’ Market prides itself on its collection of local farmers, growers and makers. The market is supported by the Farmers’ Markets New Zealand Association and by Britomart’s management company Cooper and Company as a not-for-profit initiative.
As much as possible, the market sells produce and products from the Auckland region, reducing food miles and helping support the local economy.
“Auckland has such a bounty of regional produce, especially at this time of the year,” says market manager Sue Menzies. “Our customers wanted us to provide them with that extra midweek opportunity to shop for the freshest and best the season has to offer.”
The experience of buying fresh food direct from local producers at Britomart has come full circle for Aucklanders in the last century. The City Farmers’ Market is located just across the road from the old Entrican Building, now called Australis House, which was built in the 1880s by Irish immigrants who sold grocery and fresh produce there in the early 1900s.
“The heritage setting of today’s farmers’ market is a reminder that this is the way food has always traditionally been produced and sold,” says Sue. “Historically, consumers the world over have bought most of their produce directly from local producers – and that’s a tradition that we and our customers are proud to be reviving.”
Visitors to the mid-week twilight markets will be able to pick up local seasonal organic fruit and vegetables, as well as an array of cheeses, artisan breads and pastries, hummus and pesto dips, smoked fish, salami and smoked meats, olive oil, hand-made pasta, fresh fruit juices, cakes, sweets and flowers. There’ll be music to keep the crowds entertained and picnic tables for those who want to meet friends, sit and enjoy the food or just soak up the atmosphere.
