Woah! It's December already!!!! Better make this a BIG one!

Pip

Take The Picture Now

SweetSue

Bangalow Cheese

Jo

Amy

Crystal

The Designed World

Eri

5 Questions with Soul Design

How did Soul Design make its way in to the world of Linda?

Love that question!  

Living in Singapore, just finished Bachelor of Business, wanted to share the intricate arts of India: my adventure land where my hubby's family originated from, and needed to utilise what I had learned in my Business Degree.

When I decided on a name that was it!  What I do and what is crafted which I sell, has the utmost attention to detail.

Unique and beautifully made: Yep!  I'm ready to fly!

The flowers are absolutely extraordinarily beautiful (with the bonus that they simply last forever!). What materials are they made with and are they eco-friendly

Well they don't last forever but they last for a very long time: 2 months to 3 years depending upon the environment.

Our flowers are hand made and hand painted (they really are a piece of art) to be able to get them to look so like a real flower. They are amazing or "unreal" as some of our clients call them.   

There are a few different materials used to make the flowers.  The flowers that "feel" real are made from a technological fabric similar to latex.  There are also hand-painted silks and mixed fabrics such as the magnolias which are a fave at Orange Grove Markets)

So many people who have magnolia trees in their gardens have bought magnolia gems from me to place inside their homes.  One told me that they had visitors who thought they (the magnolia gems) had been plucked off a tree!  This happened SO many times that I ended up buying a magnolia tree to put in my garden do to the same.

Unfortunately the tree didn't survive...I think it needs sunshine?!  Hence I officially became a member of a club created by one of my OG clients known as The Black Thumb Club!

Eco friendly? I believe so.  They are made by hand and are an artwork at that.  They last beautifully long, having flowers in your home that don't need to be replaced for months (or even years!) HAS to be a plus for the environment.

While you were at another of our markets you received some pretty good on-air publicity from a certain "shock-jock", not once, not twice but on quite a few occasions.  How did that all come about?

I promise I didn't pay a cent!  Just had the pleasure of sharing flowers with someone who appreciated them and how just happened to be famous!  BUT!! I have to be honest: at first I didn't recognise him.  The thought did cross my mind "he looks like...."

In all honesty I couldn't believe it actually.  After he left with his beautiful bouquet of well chosen flowers, a couple of my SBE's confirmed this shock-jock's identity.  I have to say it was a pleasure meeting him.

this is not said purchase by the shock-jock 

but a stunning custom display 

for the "Alexander the Great" Exhibition at The Australian Museum 

After his first "plug" I felt privileged that he talked on-air about the flowers.  Obviously he likes them but how nice was that!!!!  Needless to say he returned to that particular market for more.

He is actually quite humble and when I thanked him for mentioning the flowers on-air (this time me knowing I was actually talking to) he replied: "Why?". So I told him that it meant a lot to me personally and I wanted to thank him.

I know that he doesn't necessarily come across nicely on air, but I have to admit he does a lot of good.

What has been one of the most fulfilling parts of market life

I initially thought that going to market would be short lived for me.  Three years on and it's a lot more than could be imagined.  Many probably think that market life means putting up a tent, a table, a table cloth and your wares.

It's sooo much more than meets the eye.

Going to market is an amazing experience.  My highlight is the people you meet. Everyone is in a good mood, the live music is playing, the people are swaying and enjoying the day.

First you get greeted by the "Market Manager of the Year" (Jim), then by the wonderful wholesome stallies Lucy and Brydie (best tapioca), Glenn (the goat cheese man with the blue eggs which are divine), Michelle (organic t-shirt designs).

Then the regulars start to wander by "Hi Linda!". Everyone tries to know everyone by name, customers included.  

It's a community.....a GREAT community.  Every week, rain, hail or shine, the customers come and say Hi.  It is really quite special.

In 5 words, how would you sum up Orange Grove Markets?

Friendly

Happy

Vibe

Community

Pleasure

Food Celebrations

We love stgram land as you know but did you know you can share your foodie experiences on Food Spotter?  You didn't!!!  Not to worry: here are some we "spotted" for you.

Wanna know who took these babies?  Guess you'll have to "spot" them yourselves but here's a hint: simply go to this great site, search 'Orange Grove' scroll down til you find our markets et voila!

now remember peeps: these are not our photos so respect to those who took them!

As always.....we LOVE it

djgocher

mick

ngaiire

amy

marianna

sweetsue_s

bisforstyle

Hillbilly Cider with Shane & Tessa

Love the branding, love the name!  How, when and why did Hillbilly Cider come in to being

Glad you like the name - it seems to have really resonate with people!  We became "Hillbillies" half a dozen years ago when we moved to an orchard in Bilpin (Blue Mountains) in search of a simpler life.

Shane dug a cellar under the house and turned his wine making skills in to cider making.  He was making cider commercially for a couple of years before we launched Hillbilly so he really fine-tuned the art, so much so we won a bronze medal in the Australian Cider Awards a couple of weeks after launching the company last year.

You have been part of the OFM "family" for a while now.  How did you first find us and how difficult was it initially to get that all important client base started

We've always loved going to farmers markets ourselves.  We first came across Orange Grove Markets from a customer's point of view!

We had a great reception with our cider and wines at both markets and we always look forward to seeing our customers each week.

It can feel a bit remote where we live in the mountains so we love loading up the ute with cider and heading to market for a good bit of social interaction!

What has been a stand out moment for you at Orange Grove Market

Selling out of all stock the day we launched Hillbilly Cider!

You were recently featured in a magazine spread.  Incredibly satisfying and absolute positive reinforcement that you have "made the dream" a reality.  Where do you source your products from and are they sourced in an eco-friendly way.

Our cider is made from 100% Aussie apples: no concentrates or artificial flavours.  We use local invented apples by our neighbour, Bill Shields.

Our ciders are made completely naturally, unpasteurised, no added sugar or concentrates and fermented under pressure to allow use to bottle with a natural bubble without needing to add CO2.

In 5 words, how would you sum up Orange Grove Markets from the marketeer viewpoint

Orange Grove has GREAT customers!

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We could NOT end this piece on the wonderful Bilpin'ers (aka Hillbilly Cider'ers) without showing the art of recycling to its maximum potential and if that doesn't encourage you to sup a bit of cider at next market well...it's just not cricket is it!

can you hear us??? we're SHOUTING OUT

katie

Eri

Amanda

Will

@latts96

rosa

@vegangela_food

5 questions with Amy

How long have you been an Orange Grove Market shopper and what was it that initially attracted you

I am fairly new to the Orange Grove Market scene but have been a regular for a few months now.  I like that it's weekly, as the markets close to my home are only on monthly, and I think the range of produce and the price point make it indisputably the best way to shop.

Are you a fly-in-fly-out shopper or more of a got my list, got my bags, let's go and enjoy the day type of gal

I have generally got my circuit down to 30 minutes but if I have time or bring a friend, I enjoy a bit of a wander and take time to sit on the grass and enjoy one of the Vegetarian South American corn flour pockets....they are outstanding!

What is one thing you simply can't not buy each market and why

I am completely addicted to the cherry tomatoes sold by Mithu and buy three buckets each week!  He tells me I haven't tasted anything until I've tasted his summer tomatoes but I cannot believe they could be improved upon!

Why do you think these markets are not just popular amongst locals, but the die-hards who are known to travel long distances simply to get their weekly organic fix

I chatted to a man at the markets recently who comes up every Saturday from Wollongong and I thought travelling from the north side was a good effort!

Having visited many of Sydney's produce markets but having settled on Orange Grove as my regular, I think it must be a combination of the range of the organic produce, the price point and the friendly vibe of vendors and customers that make Saturday mornings a highlight of the week for people far and wide.

When I compare the task of spending an hour doing groceries at the local shopping centres versus getting the same result with better produce at Orange Grove Markets....it's a no brainer!

If you had to sum up Orange Grove Markets in 5 words, what would they be

Best start to the weekend

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The proof as they says is in the pudding, and this is Amy's organic stash!

We love that she loves Orange Grove and we love even more that she comes from the north side our glorious Harbour to stock up her fridge with some of THE best produce to be had!

A Thank You to our FB Fans

As you know we love to say thank you and it's time to share some Orange Grove Market Facebook love. 

Whether it be to say thank you for being a "liker"

to a comment on a photo or just because you can. 

We are always humbled by how much your love and support helps us keep on keeping on and more importantly how it helps all of our traders!

So if you haven't already, find us on Facebook (click "here" for ease), like us and then tell us what you buy, why you love us and you never know...we may just ask YOU to become part of our blog!