Allan Dixon and Sharyn Prendergast have much to smile about. This year, they bought the Clyde River Berry Farm, which is located in the hinterland between Batemans Bay and Ulladulla in NSW. Visiting their farm is on my list of things for Peter and I to do in the holidays. I've been berry picking many times before, but I must say I have never seen such enormous blueberries! And the taste, oh my, these berries taste divine! I've just frozen a 500g pack. Frozen blueberries are icy little taste bombs, perfect to snack on during the heat of Summer. The Clyde River Berry Farm is open seven days from 10am to 6pm in December and January, except Christmas Day. There are all kinds of beautiful berries (including youngberries and raspberries), as well as peaches, plums and other seasonal fruits. Here's a couple of bashful young fellows, Wes Johnston and Todd Sheens, from the Torry Hill Orchard in Young, NSW. You'll meet Wes and Todd each Saturday at the Torry Hill Orchard stall at the Capital Region Farmer's Markets. They will be at the markets during cherry season, selling boxes of freshly picked Ron cherries. Peter and I always make a beeline for the stall, as there are also wines, sauces and some yummy cherry pies on sale. The pies are made by a local bakery in Young, using fruit from the Torry Hill Orchard. Buy also from the Torry Hill Orchard farm shop at 537 Cowra Road, Young, telephone 02 6382 5676. 'These guys are really good!', a shopper told me as she bought her weekly supply of potatoes, rocket and herbs from Andrew Galan and Ged Hardy, of Geranda South Coast Fresh Produce. The gentlemen have a cracker of a stall at the Capital Region Farmer's Markets, where they sell an array of fresh herbs and vegetables. Just look at the quality of the lettuces in the photo and you can tell that everything they sell comes fresh from the farm. Choose from fresh lemongrass, mint, bok choy, rocket, dill, garlic, cucumbers, potatoes and lettuces galore. Visit them at either the Capital Region Farmer's Markets or the Moruya Country Markets. The Di Cerbo Family Guiseppe and Magdalena Di Cerbo, together with son Jo are clearly passionate about their produce. "I came to Australia in 1955 and I've been selling at markets since 1958... I once sold five or six semi trailer loads per week," Guiseppe tells me with a rich Italian accent and warm laugh. I really love these people! Their farm is located at Berri in South Australia, so they travel a long way to sell at the Capital Region Farmer's Market in Canberra. The Di Cerbo's bring fresh oranges, mandarins, dried fruits and a variety of vegetables to the market. See here for more information. Helen and Dennis Smith started their little business at their property just north of Temora four years ago with just 20 hens. Now, they are hatching galore and have more than two and a half thousand free range chookies. The result is a bountiful supply of beautiful fresh eggs which they sell at the Capital Region Farmer's Market; as well as the Double Shot cafe in Deakin; and IGA Temora and Grenfell. Helen and Dennis kindly stopped to smile for this photo in between a steady stream of regular happy customers. Visitors to the farm are welcome. Meet Scott Jones, Manager of the Alpine Berry Farm with his happy youngsters, Brooke and Jackson every Saturday at the Capital Region Farmer's Market. Owned by the Hatcher family, the Alpine Berry Farm is located in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia. You'll find their range of beautiful jams, marmalades and berry sauces at locations across the country, including Floriade in Canberra in October and the Capital Region Farmer's Market in Canberra every Saturday morning. |
Food PeopleFarmers and growers, artisan producers, and wonderful providores. Archives
July 2014
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