Hi there
Winter where are you? I can’t remember a winter that has been so mild.
Over the next few months the market will seem a little empty to those that are used to seeing the vendors jam packed into the space. Many of you comment to us about this. The reality is that we are a 52 week a year market in a cold (ish) climate. Most other markets around the country, or the world for that matter, located in cold climates only open for the summer/autumn seasons.
We believe that the people from Dunedin want to be able to buy fresh produce and eat seasonally right throughout the year even when the selection of goods on offer gets a little restricted. To this end our vendors have planned their crop rotations and plantings to ensure that right throughout winter and spring there is always fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables on offer. However we have about 20 seasonal vendors who come to the market for anything from 6 weeks to 3 or 4 months per year.
We value them enormously because they bring the diversity of what the region can produce and what you all enjoy eating. Stone fruit, Fairfield blueberries, mushrooms, nuts, asparagus etc etc
The down side of keeping space free for our seasonal vendors is that at times there are a few large gaps at the market. From time to time the Trust considers whether to allow more ready to eat food vendors in over these quieter months but believe that it is better to have a few gaps and let the full time vendors, incl the ready to eat producers make a steady income over what can be some lean months.
Next week a must see movie is screening in Dunedin. One of our market sponsors, uyoc, is behind bringing it to us so a big shout out to them as well.
“BLUE is a cinematic song for our oceans; beautiful, intimate and grand. Fearlessly truth-telling, yet passionately hopeful. See this film and you will want to rise up with the waves.”
— GREENPEACE AUSTRALIA
The sun is out, the temperatures are mild, the shortest day is behind us … roll on Saturday I say!!
See you Saturday
Warmly Kate
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