Weekly market adds to fresh bounty
The Pinecreek restaurant and farmstall will be turned into an exciting hub of fresh produce, artisanal products and homebaked treats at the very first Fine and Fabulous Farmers Market on Saturday.
The market is the brainchild of Pinecreek owner Rudi Pretorius and Fine and Fabulous pop up market founder, Sam Ramsay.
Together, the pair hope to ignite the spirit of community and create a successful and sustainable weekly market.
“We do have a farmstall here, but it’s not about competition or about making money for us; it’s all about community, bringing people together and empowering local entrepreneurs.
“We want to create thriving enterprises for local farmers because they are the guys who really need the support of the community,” Pretorius said.
Ramsay said the market would take place every Saturday at Pinecreek and would serve as a platform for local farmers to sell and promote their goods, while interacting with the community.
“We’re hoping that in time families will make the Saturday market part of their every weekend routine,” said Ramsay.
The market will see more than 20 stalls selling various farm-fresh or homemade food items, including meats, biltong, cheeses, baked goods, sauces, jams, fresh veggies and herbs, with other vendors selling plants, flowers, organic soaps and more.
Ramsay has also invited a collective of vendors from Hogsback to participate in the market. Artisanal chocolates, kombucha, fruit cocktails and more can be expected from them.
“I’ve tried to include a wide variety and I’m hoping that this platform may inspire others who have always wanted to make cheeses or preserves or grow vegetables and sell their products or produce to go for it and join the market every Saturday,” said Ramsay.
“It’s been tough to get farmers to commit to a weekly market because of the drought and the uncertainty of having enough produce, but slowly people are starting to come on board and I’m very excited for the potential of this market.”
Vendor Craig Bezuidenhout, from Three Feathers Farm on the East Coasts Resorts Road, said the market was very much needed.
“I’m really looking forward to it, my two siblings and I run the farm and we sell farm fresh duck, chicken and fresh eggs as well as a range of homemade sauces. We’re also busy introducing quail, as well as fresh and pickled quail eggs. Pinecreek is really central, it is the closest farm to town and I think this market will really help us promote our products,” Bezuidenhout said.
Fellow vendor, David Cox, owns and runs Urban Farmhouse, an 18-month-old start up that delivers boxes of farm fresh vegetables to people’s doorsteps on a weekly basis.
“The consistency of this market is really good for credibility, especially for startups. The more the public see us and interact with us, the better for our businesses,” he said.
The Saturday market is from 8am to 11am.
If any vendors would like to book a stall, contact Ramsay on 083-784-1558.