farmers’ markets

NSW

Deniliquin Naponda Farmers’ Market, July 13th Known for broadacre grazing and cropping, Deniliquin, in south–west NSW, is home to the largest rice mill in the Southern Hemisphere and in nearby Narrandera there’s a hazelnut plantation of one million trees owned by chocolate giant Ferrero Rocher, the maker of Nutella. But there is also a bevy of small–scale orchardists, market gardeners and cooks in the region that are equally important to the town’s social fabric and economy, and you’ll find some of them at the market. Start with a visit to Aintree Almonds & Apiary for honey and dryroasted, smoked and flavoured nuts, as well as nougat, bread and dukkah. You’ll find fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables at Verducci’s stall and eggs from Margaret Conallin’s free–range chooks. The Yabba Gabba Kitchen is known for its fantastic preserves and homemade chicken liver pâté. 8am–noon. Waring Gardens, Cressy Street, Deniliquin. 0427 812 761.

VICTORIA

Sunraysia Farmers’ Market, July 6th and 20th A hardworking team of volunteers underwrites this market’s ongoing success. Here’s why it’s one of the best. Firstly, the market is held in an incredibly picturesque setting with stalls dotted under box trees and towering gums in a large grassy park on the banks of the Murray River. Second, the quality and range of food is up there. The area’s dried fruit industry, set up in the 1880s by the Chaffey brothers, is still going strong with quality sultanas, currants, flame raisin, black and sun muscat grapes found at Tabletop Grapes. Hoyle & Sons from Yelta have citrus; Eleni’s and Robinvale Estate sell olive oil and marinated olives; and super-fresh vegetables from Varacalli Vineyards. Topping it off is the bacon–and egg– roll made by volunteers with ingredients from stallholders. 8am–12pm. Jaycee Park, Cureton Ave and Hugh King Drive, Mildura. 0439 252 342; sunraysiafarmersmarket.com.au