Friday 25 October 2013

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!

Friday 18 October 2013

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!

Friday 11 October 2013

5 questions with Sandrine and Mo Resin

Beautiful jewellery, beautiful people!  Can you give us a little bit of background in to the wonderful world known as Mo Resin

Olivier is initially an artist.  He prepared Les Beaux Arts in Paris painting as well as sculpting.  He was young (then) and a successful interior designer in Paris, but did not have enough time to concentrate on what he loves most: taking his time to play with colours, materials and shapes.


He felt a deep desire to concentrate on his art, exploring new techniques, combining an eclectic mix of materials with painting.

In 2006 he was awarded 1st place at "Art et Métier" school. At the same time we had in mind to widen our horizon and arrived in Australia in 2007 with our 4 kids.

We found our little haven in the Royal National Park where Olivier is now part of the Art Trail (which you can see "here").

Olivier explored resin and gold leaf for his art in 2009 made one cuff for me as a gift



All my friends wanted one in different colours....that's how we started.  We were first approached by Art Galleries then fashion boutiques and then we heard about the markets.

You are a originally from France which for most Aussies is a land of paradise filled with beauty and all things amazing.  What was it about Australia that attracted you to our fair shores and was it a difficult transition

We came to Australia because we'd heard about Sydney's way of life by Olivier's sister who married an Aussie 25 years ago.  Even though we love France and especially Paris, we found it hard to live there, working hard (interior design for Olivier and journalism for me) with 4 kids.

Too much stress and no time to really enjoy life.  We came here for the idea we had of the Australian lifestyle and landscapes.  We decided to stay because we absolutely fell in love with the Australians: so easy going, and welcoming.

We proudly became citizens in 2010 and I feel absolutely blessed that we did not have to make a choice: we are now 100% French and Australian (not 50/50).

What led you to becoming a (now much beloved) stallie at Orange Grove Markets

Orange Grove Market was the first one we heard about in November 2012 at the French School Christmas Market.  And I have to say my feelings initially was "what the hell am I doing to do in a farmer's market".  So I enjoyed the school holidays and it was in February 2013 that I decided to give it a go.

and it was an incredibly wet weather debut for them but what a success it was

I was so thrilled.  Not only was it a huge success but for me (which is just as important) I had the instant feeling of being at home, as if in one of our little village markets, even some arrondissements (or quarters) of Paris where loved the atmosphere.

The immediate proximity with the customers...it's all about sharing.  You cannot move for the numbers.  My theory of our success at Orange Grove is that the public is looking for good quality products in terms of food, but they also have the opportunity to have everything in the one location which is in itself is fantastic. 



What is it about market life that "keeps it real" for you

It was not difficult for me to adjust at all as I felt "comme un poisson dans l'eau" (like a fish in the ocean).  The only difficult was to experience Sydney showers with a non-waterproof gazebo!

Luckily Jim (an Orange Grove Market manager) was a great support not only to help me open it (the gazebo) but also to insist on me buying a "real" one, which I did after a couple of markets, and we have improved our display but still have so many ideas in mind.


Even though I find it difficult on certain mornings to wake up early (especially in Winter when it's still seriously dark and you're not sure what weather you will have), the reward is when the sun rises and accompanies me on the road and I am welcomed by fantastic and always smiling supportive managers.

And this is for Louise...you probably don't know it but your "Good morning lady!" is always a great start to the day.  

After that you get to share some smiles, and another "need my coffee" with the other stallies, followed by great customers who now sometimes don't even wait for me to finish setting up to buy from me!

I love to prepare and think of new ideas with my husband for pieces and when the customers say "yes! I love it!"...that is incredibly satisfying.  And when I make a joke and they laugh....that means I am improving my English!!!!

In what some might consider a relatively short amount of time, you have developed an incredibly impressive and increasing fan base.  How would you describe life as an Orange Grove marketeer in 5 words

Intense, rewarding, friendly, surprising, real



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So if you want to have a little bit of France with you in a resin kind of way then take it from us (and we are HUGE fans), you cannot go wrong buy purchasing an insanely beautiful piece of jewellery from Mo Resin.  And yes...they do custom pieces!

And cause we are SO in love with their pieces we simply HAD to include one more photo