Frickers' bread is impressive and so is the stand!
Urs is kept busy with customers keen to try his lovely bread.
There was a good turnout of shoppers. It was a lovely relaxed morning.
Our young musicians who took on the role of entertainment in the second part of the market. They really enjoyed themselves and did a fantastic job.

Lots of people travelling through Amberley took the opportunity for a break, did their shopping and then had a picnic using some of the lovely produce they had purchased on the grass under the trees.

The weather was beautiful for the market this week - not like the week before!!! We had 18 stalls today.
Sarah Rodie and her assistants did a good trade in their texcel lamb.
Apricots by the kg or jam perhaps?
Sigrid and her fellow musicians provided the entertainment for us in the first half of the market. They were fantastic, and really created a lovely atmosphere.

M
Soleil Apricots made a very welcome return to the market.
Michele had a busy day with her organic vegetables. I think it must have been the great hat!
Fern Roc Farm sold out of their free-range eggs very early on at the market.

Christmas Market 20 December 2008

The weather was truly awful for our special Christmas market. It was a real shame as we had 43 stallholders booked in but only half of these were able to get there to sell their wares in the heavy rain. The shoppers turned out in large numbers considering the weather. There were many regulars who were determined to get their favourite produce from the market so those stallholders who braved the weather did very well. Most stallholders sold out, some of them very quickly and some of them by the end of the market at noon.

The rain didn't put Santa off - he flew in with his Air New Zealand umbrella and gave out yummy cookies to kids and adults alike.
As you can see, Santa has been eating healthily lately, lots of fresh produce from his local farmers market.

Christine braved the rain to entertain us with her violin. She did an amazing job, and is a very skilled musician. Bruce from the Tear Fund had alternative christmas presents available - buying resources for communities in less advantaged countries. The Council entrance proved to be a great spot out of the rain and may well be a regular spot for our musicians.

The succulent stall was a new one for the market. The range of succulents is amazing.
Sarah from Waipara Gardens borrowed the Waipara Garage's gazebo for the day - a very wise move.
Don and Shari's coffee at the end of the "food lane" was a little haven from the weather. Their coffee really is good, especially on days like this.

Bronwen from Athena Olives loading up with some more of her fresh peas which sold really well, along with her potatoes, vinegars, and other preserves, not to mention her Olive Oil!
Nathn and Vicky once again sold out of berries very quickly. I can thoroughly recommend their cucumbers, especially as I bought the last four and the family has eaten them all already!
The Parkers had the lovely panettone (italian desert) which sold out quickly but they had a good supply of the elderflower cordial left to sell. Ewan, you hardly needed to top the cordial up with water, you should have just held the tray out in the rain!
Ro braved the rain to sell the last of her beautifully decorated Christmas cakes. We are hoping to see Ro back at the market at easter.

Umbrellas were a very necessary item for shoppers and stallholders
The kids enjoyed the treats that many stallholders (and Santa) had for them
Narissa wasn't going to let a bit of rain put her off selling her yummy cherries, and it didn't put the shoppers off buying them either.
This man got his free range eggs - the Fern Roc Farm eggs sold out by 9:30!!!

Christmas market 20 December

Tom Porter from Bellbird selling his lovely olive oil to a wet customer.
It was a miserable day but the shoppers braved the weather to support our market.
Honey, cherries and herbs didn't seem to mind the rain
Wine sales and tastings were good despite the rain as well.

Raffle Winners

Pauline Newport-Cromarty won the raffle which was drawn on the 15th of December. Pauline won a hamper worth $250 filled with yummy produce from the Waipara area. From wine through to Christmas cakes, she is going to have a feast!

Second prize went to Robin Kendall ($50 to spend at the farmers market) and third prize ($20 of farmers market money) went to Glenis Ambler.

Thanks to all those who bought a ticket. The money raised will go towards advertising and signage.

Christmas Market on 20 December will be Huge!

We are expecting at least 35 stallholders for our special Christmas market on next Saturday (20th December). For this one special market day, we have invited local artists and crafters to have a stall. There's also a wide variety of the edible produce as well, in fact you should be able to get everything you would need for a Christmas feast!

Lots of little snacky things can start the feast off from spicey nuts, pickled cherries, and perhaps salami. Maybe some walnuts may be the thing.

There's vegetables ranging from new potatoes, artichokes, beans, spinach, pumpkins, lettuces and a whole lot of others including some I hadn't even seen before (and now can't remember the name for!). There's herbs of all varieties, and then dressings from aoili to vinaigrettes. There's also two stalls selling meat. Sarah Rodie's texcel lamb is hugely popular as it is so very tasty and tender. Harris Meats will be there selling hams, bacon, sausages and their medal winning bier sticks. They even have a few steaks vacuum packed on offer.

European style breads are available at the market as well. Urs Fricker's bread is always very popular and you have to get in early to get your favourite loaf. There's also some more eastern european style bread which is a great alternative.

No Christmas feast would be complete without a full range of deserts. With the berries, cherries and fruit, what about trying the italian christmas favourite, panettone! Fern Roc Farms will be selling their home made icecream. Ro Crosby's christmas cakes are so beautifully decorated, you won't want to eat them!

Drinks are also available. Wine from Terrace Edge, and then for those wanting alchohol free there are a range of cordials at the market including lemon; strawberry & lavender; and elderflower.

Flowers will be available including a lovely selection of roses and lillies. For those wanting to make their own pavs, free range eggs are available.

I've missed out many, so I suggest that you just come on down with a good supply of cash and a large shopping bag. That reminds me, we can also sell you a NZ Farmers Market re-usable shopping bag for a modest sum....

See you on Saturday!
J

December 13 market

Melany made bacon butties again as well as selling her mayonnaises and aiolis, not to mention her free range eggs. There must have been lots of people wanting eggs this week as all our three egg sellers sold out early!
Don and Shari make The Best Coffee and are one of the busiest stalls in the market, well supported by stallholders and shoppers alike

The kit set gingerbread houses were delightful! Just the thing for keeping the kids entertained and the finished product looks delightful and would no doubt taste delightful. The girls did a great job of selling them, as well as their brandy snaps. Mum's pavlova endeavours should see her having them available for sale next week perhaps?
Sandy brings a little bit of Scotland to our market. This week she was trying a couple of new products including dukkah or is it spelled ducca? The debate goes on.
Sampling wine before noon wasn't a problem for lots of our shoppers.
Anne makes the best scones and jams!