farmers’ markets

VICTORIA

Mt Martha Farmers’ Market, first Saturday and third Friday When they’re outdoors and beside the sea (well, Port Phillip Bay), markets such as this make the weekly food shop pleasurable. There’s a lot to love about this little market, which is one of the newest in Australia. To start, the best Mornington Peninsula food producers are all in one spot — Sunny Ridge strawberries, Mumma Made (jam maker), Margaret’s Mushrooms, Tuerong Farm (grain farmer and miller), Blue Bay Cheese and 280 Fresh Veg. The market frowns on single-use anything, so bring your own containers and bags. In another zero-waste initiative, stallholders serve food and drinks on bamboo plates and in rice-husk cups, which you then wash at the ‘Washed Up. Not Wasted’ station. Saturdays 8.30am–12.30pm; Fridays 3pm–7pm (November to March). Mount Martha House Community Centre and Parade Lawns, 466 Esplanade, Mount Martha, mmfm.org.au

NSW

Liverpool Growers and Foodies Market, every Saturday Warwick Farm Trackside Market underwent a name change last year to reflect its new location and farm-fresh focus. But regulars continue to enjoy the family-focused vibe and all of their favourite stallholders. With February being the hottest month in south-western Sydney, it pays to get there early. Gates open at 7am so you can pick up fruit from Wanaka Orchard, vegetables from Grech Farm Trading and beef and pork from Linga Longa Farm, then grab a coffee and a top-notch gozleme, and still be home before you fry. Apart from a few exceptions, the market features many farmers and growers from the Sydney Basin, including Country Valley dairy from Picton. Want some hot tips? David’s Larder specialises in Scottish haggis and Nisrine at Protein Balls Indulgence makes a brilliant baba ghanoush. 7am–12pm. Childs Park, Ascot Drive, Chipping Norton, liverpoolgrowersfoodiesmarket.com.au