From Silvia - Gluten Free Cuisine

Gluten Free Cuisine has been a part of (and more importantly) a firm favourite of our markets for many years.  What first inspired you to start experimenting with recipes that were gluten free but still yummy at the same time

My daughter was diagnosed with an intolerance to preservatives, all those years ago now, and we began a journey of creating "loved" foods with NO added preservatives (or "no numbers" as we like to put it), thickeners or additives.  With a background in research, it was not long before we recognised there was a need for great tasting QUALITY foods that could be made readily available to the many with special dietary requirements, intolerances, or simply wanted to eat well with and enjoying great tasting foods!

You have a few "signature" pieces (eg: lemon meringue pie being top of the pops).  As you do 3 of our markets (Hornsby on Thursdays, Orange Grove on Saturdays and Frenchs Forest on Sundays), is there a particular favourite per location or are they as equally popular no matter which postcode you are at

Good question!  We seem to sell across the range pretty much throughout the year at every market we do.  Over the years we have built a fantastic relationship with our customers and we are a weekly "one stop shop" for many - across our Freshly Baked Artisan Organic Breads (all soy free, dairy free, canola free, animal fat free)

Savoury offerings such as Handmade Fresh Pasta, Classic Pesto and of course our Sweet Treats.

Actually our range has evolved based on our customer waitlist, including more dairy free options, larger celebration cakes and the latest offerings are our NUT FREE Organic Banana Bread & Cookies: All Gluten Free!

There is no denying market life can be trying at times, particularly when the weather doesn't play nicely; yet you are always there with a smile, rain, hail or shine, which not only do we appreciate but we KNOW your customers do as well.  What has been one of the more memorable experiences of market life for you

We have so many memorable moments & experiences: all so special in their own ways. We received a text from a customer just before Easter last year saying his wife was going in to labour and had requested our GF (gluten free) DF (dairy free) Hot Cross Buns and please save him one, he was on the way!

Over the years, it has been our privilege to be part of families as they prepare to welcome precious new borns with weekly Lamingtons to help them on the way, then of course we get to create Special Celebration Cakes.  

We have created Signature Wedding Cakes and  that Special Birthday Cake for the 90 years young whose special request is the Lemon Meringue (of course!), and for it to be large enough for her 90 guests!!!

We get called upon for that Bespoke Catering that meets special dietary requirements and more frequently provide GF (gluten free) WF (wheat free) NF (nut free) treats for the school lunch boxes!

From your personal stance, what is it about markets like ours that play a pivotal role in the local community

We love that our customers are able to purchase products from us that are literally hours from leaving the oven.  It is so special to get to know our customers who eat our food, to hear their stories, their sincere appreciation for what we make and to know we can really make a difference.  Our customers in turn love to hear our stories too.

The pivotal role in the local community (as you put it) is that markets provide for that quintessential experience of what nurtures people socially, and communities economically and all this whilst providing produce straight from the producers.

How would you sum up the world of Gluten Free Cuisine in 5 words

Dedicated Gluten Free for Everyone!

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Fantastic story behind a firmly entrenched, much loved and ever evolving producer of all things Gluten Free.  Swing by and say a massive "Hi" to Sylvia and her team every Saturday and trust us, from what we have seen..the sweet treats are getting more delicious by the week!

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!

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!

5 questions with Arawaki

How did you initially become involved with selling Arawaki

I have always loved this type of handcrafted jewellery and every time I went back to South America I would always return with new pieces.

People started to notice and their reaction was always very nice and wanted to know where they could buy them.  At that stage there wasn't anywhere....until now!

These unique stunning pieces are not only Fair Trade but also Eco-Friendly and created sustainably.  Where do you source these from

This is a family business where my sisters and nieces who live in South America are in charge of the initial selection.  They source from local cooperatives, send me pictures and I choose according to what I feel will appeal to my customers.

Sometimes I don't get it quite right but then the good thing is I get to keep the stock that doesn't sell!

As you sit there quietly and let these items "speak", how have you found the shoppers at market reacting to them

It's funny to watch reactions: some people know exactly what they want and the decision is made very quickly, and others get so carried away with the variety they can't make up their minds!

I had a customer who could not decide on what she wanted and ended up leaving, then just as the markets were about to close, I saw her running towards me saying "can I still get one?? I know what I want now!"  Too cute

What would be one of your bigger selling items you've had so far

Actually I sell all my stock quite well, but anything orange sells first...seems to be the colour of the moment (nb: fitting given Paula sells at Orange Grove Market don't you think?)

How would you describe life as a stallie at Orange Grove Markets

I absolutely love Orange Grove Markets.  If has a great energy, all the stallholders are nice and it's got a great community feeling.

LOVE IT!

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And we LOVE Paula.   All you have to do is find her sitting quietly with her beautiful pieces and then the rest is up to you.

Sharing some Orange Grove love with Amanda

How long have you been a fan of the Saturday delight of Orange Grove Markets

I have been going to and a BIG fan of Orange Grove Markets for about 2 years now.

What is it about these markets that keeps you coming back

The atmosphere!  The amazing stallholders and their fresh organic produce.  The quality and freshness of the produce is wonderful.  I love knowing that the fruit/vegetables I buy on each Saturday came off the tree only a few days (or the day) before!.

I used to travel to "another" organic market previous to discovering Orange Grove Markets and I have to say although they are "nice", they aren't a patch on Orange Grove!  Having lived in the Inner West for many years, I can't believe that I didn't now about them sooner!

I also like the people who come to the markets - everyone on the same page wanting to cook and eat with the freshest and healthiest produce they can.  No matter how crowded or how many times my toes might accidentally be run over with a trolley brimming with clean and healthy goodness, there is always a smile and an apology for not seeing your tootsies.

Do you have a favourite stallie whom you simply can't not buy from each week, and if so, who and why

Yes, I have my favourites:

• Frank @ Frank's peaches
• Nick @ BBQ Aroma
• Lyssandra's Fruit & Veggies
• R&G Williams Mangrove Mountain Flower Growers
• Organic Culture
• Growers Direct to U
• Totally Juiced
• Bowen's Egg & Bacon Rolls
• Chinese Dim Sum King

They always look after me with a smile and some friendly banter.  The friendly stallies makes the atmosphere!

I visit these stalls each Saturday market without fail as well as meandering through the markets sampling and buying tasty goodies from the other stallholders.

Has this love of our markets spilled into the worlds of those around you or do you like to use it as a "time out" solo expedition

Religiously, rain, hail or shine, each Saturday I set my alarm clock early so I can get to the markets on time before all the goodies are picked over.  It's a ritual that only something major can deviate me from!

My parents now go along to the markets as well and they too have fallen in love with the markets' amazing atmosphere and friendly market go-ers and growers.  I have quite a few friends who live in the Inner West and are local to Orange Grove Markets and they too now visit the markets.

I love going home after the markets to pack my fridge full of organic goodness and stand back to admire all the beautiful colours of the produce and ponder on what delicacies I can cook that week.

I enjoy going t the markets with friends or family but solo expeditions are a necessity! After a hectic week at work there is nothing better than arriving at the markets to wonder what delights await and what friends I might bump into doing their Saturday morning shop.

I imagine that I could be anywhere in the world enveloped in the market crowds and enjoy walking around each corner to see what treats await!

Plus, a solo expedition also allows me to spend as much time as I want soaking up the atmosphere.

If you had to use 5 words to embody Orange Grove Markets, what would they be

1. Vibrant
2. Fresh
3. Inspiring
4. Healthy
5. FUN!

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And on that extraordinarily high note we would like to thank Amanda for not only loving our markets with a passion, but being one of those amazing shoppers who come to market rain hail or shine! 

Reckon there is something in that for all of us don't you think?

ps: couldn't not share some of Amanda's photos either THAT'S how much we appreciate her!

5 Questions with Erkut & Putrino's

When did Putrino's make their debut at Orange Grove Markets

G & M Putrino have been at Orange Grove for 10 years and for me personally, I have been here for about 4 years

Not only is your produce totally delicious, you are constantly busy which is excellent for any stallholder.  What is about being part of the market community that separates it from a retail outlet or a supermarket chain.

Always having loads quality fresh produce at hand and loads of people each with their unique personality

As your produce grows so does your stall size. From set up to packdown, from picking up produce to arriving at market.  It is not a life for the faint-hearted.  When does your day actually start and after all is said and done, what time do you finally get home and put your feet up to relax.

Very early start leaving home at 3am, then its off to the farm to collect the truck which is packed with market produce

with thanks to the BBQ Aroma King for allowing us to use this photo of the stallie dawn arrival 

Market done and finally pack down complete, I get home about 5pm

Whatever the weather you are at market.  We absolutely appreciate it and we KNOW for a fact that the shoppers do also.  What has been the biggest sale at any market in one day

We always make sure we show up in any weather because we know our customers rely on us being there and we absolutely appreciate that they come out whatever the weather.

Some days we do incredibly well and sell totally out.  But when the weather ain't that great obviously it's a bit slower but fortunately for us, it's not that often.

It's hard to put a figure on best seller because our costs and produce change according to season and weather.

For anyone who has yet to discover the delights of your Orange Grove goodies, what 5 words would you use to get em in and have a sample

Come and have a taste!

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You heard the man....get in and have a taste!

Sharing the love with Brona

When did you first discover the joys known as Orange Grove Market

I've known about Orange Grove Markets for about 5 years but only visited for the first time last year when both our boys had finally turned 12 and their weekend sport commitments shifted from Saturdays to Sundays....leaving Saturdays free for marketing!

What is it about these markets that makes it stand out from others

My first visit last year was memorable.  I walked from Birchgrove early one sunny wintry morning.  The markets were already buzzing.

The stallholders were happy friendly and happy for me to taste their wares.  There was a colourful bustle of activity and aromas.  I quickly realised that future visits would require me to pack more carry bags into my backpack for my return trip home!

Is there a "simply must have to have, can't not buy" item and if so, why

My "must" items change depending on the season because my big love is the organic seasonal produce.  At the moment i love the rhubarb

asparagus

and broccoli.

I usually buy a dozen eggs, some meat for the BBQ, a bunch of flowers (the proteas are amazing right now)

and occasionally some potted herbs or succulents.  I also love the smoked salmon packs as a treat.

When you swing by is it a solo or group expedition

Most of the time I walk up by myself.  I love the early morning quiet time to myself at the end of another busy week.  Occasionally my husband joins me on the walk for a lovely long chat about life, the universe and everything (and OFM knows the answer to THAT question is 42!!)....including our next week's menu!

For anyone who has yet to be introduced to the Saturday Morning Ritual known as Orange Grove Markets, what 5 words of encouragement would you use

Vibrant, colourful, aromatic, fresh eclectic

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And on that high note we say a MASSIVE thank you to Brona not only for taking some time to share her love of our markets but for doing couple of amazing pictorial/snap shot blogs which you can check out "here" and "here".

5 Questions with Andrew, Therese and Near River

How did Near River get to be..Near (the) River?

Almost 7 years ago we left Sydney to set up our organic market farm and follow our dream of being farmers.  We'd recently been re-inspired by attending a David Suzuki lecture that had him finishing the presentation with the words "and for heavens sake, eat organic foods".

After much searching we found our piece of paradise and it has proved to be well sited with shelter from the west and south and an open easterly aspect providing warming morning sun.

The previous owners had been there for 15 years and had run their horses on the 22 acres of alluvial river flats, so the soil was in pretty good shape as it hadn't been chemically farmed for that length of time.

The Pappinbarra River forms the northern boundary of the property and it drains in to the Hastings River which flows past Port Macquarie.

The name finally came to us when our first Telstra bill arrived, with the property name "Near River" as the address...so phone bills can be useful at times!

What was your life prior to Near River

I'm Sydney born and bread and had been a "city farmer" running my own landscaping and garden care centre for 12 years.  I then spent 2 years with a large commercial landscaper (leading many of the teams that planted the 800,000 trees and grasses on the M7 motorway) before doing the "tree change".

We lived in Coogee so got to spend time by the ocean, so one of the parameters for the property was that it had to be no more than an hour away from the coast. Therese (who is originally from Ireland) has a career in Project Management with Mobile Communications carriers and works in Sydney 4 days each week.  I then travel down on Friday evenings with a load of fresh produce and we man the stall together each Saturday morning before returning to the farm for the weekend.

You are now a fully entrenched and much loved trader at Orange Grove Markets.  How do you find life as a stallie

We love the opportunity to interact directly with our customers.  As farmers we have an untold number of variables to deal with, so receiving accolades from the end user in person is the added reward for what we do.  

Each week we are both pleasantly surprised by the unsolicited feedback that we get aside from our commitment to supplying our community with nutrient dense food, it's what keeps us going.

You are passionate and an advocate for living a more sustainable life.  What would be 3 basic steps that we could all do in order to assist in reducing our own carbon footprint, small though it may be

Eat Local Food: and as customers at Orange Grove Markets you are already doing that but the benefits run very deep.  By doing this, your food is as close to its nutritional peak as it can be.  Your money stays in your community.  Food is seasonal for a reason and our bodies respond to that: your farmers will be happy!

If you eat meat, ensure it is sustainably raised: aside from the benefit to the animal's health which is then reflected in the quality of the meat, pasture raised enterprises have a much lighter impact on the environment than feedlots and the like.

Pass on your knowledge of cooking food to a younger generation (or go find out for yourself!): growing your own food, even if it's just some herbs at the back door, has you connected with the soil, the seasons and nature. And the benefits of home cooking and sharing meals made with love are many.  We are keen supporters of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Scheme (click "here" for more information) and are so pleased that funding has now been provided to have this available in every school.

Through being a marketeer, what has been one of the more profound experiences you have had in your time at Orange Grove Markets

The most profound experiences are always with the children where parents say things like "My daughter doesn't normally eat any tomatoes but I couldn't keep her away from yours - they're so sweet and tasty".

It's also about connection and feedback - finding out how people use our preserves, or how they cook with our garlic or the meals and celebrations they have had using our ducks and chickens or how many people rave about our eggs ("I can't eat any other eggs now" is a common refrain).

Allowing people to shake the hand of the farmer that grows their food and then taking that food into their homes and families is a most profound and empowering experience for us.

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Now we could not let this piece end without a stand out photo taken of said farmer, but before we do we thank Andrew & Therese for being who they are, continually sharing their amazing produce and sharing a little bit of their lives with us and thankfully you can catch up with them every Saturday at Orange Grove Markets!

It's July so it's time for the shoutout!

@amandaaaaaa

@sally_veer

@thangngo

Hannah

trish

cute as a button

@hellojb