The number of farmer’s markets in Australia is growing rapidly with more and more people looking to buy fresh, organic fruit and vegetables.

Below is a list of organic farmers’s markets in Canberra and the ACT. Please leave a comment if you know of any other organic markets in the region or if you have further information on the markets listed.

For online organic produce deliveries in Canberra, try Organic Express.

Note: Not all markets are completely organic but you can find organic food stalls there.

Farmers Markets in Canberra and the ACT

ANU Food Co-op
Kingsley Street
Acton ACT 2601
Tuesday - Sunday
From 10am
http://anu.foodco-op.com/

Belconnen Fresh Food Markets
Lathlain Street
Belconnen ACT 2617
Wednesday to Sunday
8am - 6pm
http://www.belconnenmarkets.com.au/

Capital Region Farmers’ Market
Exhibition Park (EPIC)
Entry off Northbourne Avenue
Canberra ACT 2600
Every Saturday
8am - 11am
http://www.capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au

Gorman House Markets
Ainslie Avenue
Braddon ACT 2612
Every Saturday
10am - 4pm
http://www.gormanhouse.com.au

Old Bus Depot Markets
21 Wentworth Avenue
Kingston Foreshore ACT
Every Sunday
10am - 4pm
http://www.obdm.com.au/

Southside Farmers’ Market
CIT Southside Campus
Ainsworth Street
Woden ACT
Every Sunday
9am - 12pm
http://www.southsidefarmersmarket.com.au

The Hall Markets
Hall Showground
Hall ACT 2618
Every 1st Sunday
10am - 3pm

If you live in or around York in WA, or plan of visiting York (it’s not far from Perth), you may be interested to know of a new farmers market which they plan on opening in the near future.

For the moment, they are looking for prospective stall holders, as per this email (reprinted with permission):

We are seeking expressions of interest from producers for a New Farmers Market to be held in York WA.

York is the oldest inland settlement in WA and predates the 
colonisation of South Australia, Victoria and Queensland.

With thousands of Perth visitors and tourists every weekend, it is the perfect country location for farmers and growers to sell their produce direct to the public.

We are putting together a list of prospective stall holders, to invite to the inaugural market, to be held in the near future.

If you are interested we would love to hear from you.

John Saville-Wright
York Farmers Market
chats [at] highway1 [dot] com [dot] au
T 08 9641 1255

So if you are interested or would like further information, please contact John.

I’ve received a few emails recently about the quality of certain farmers’ markets in Australia. Not just about the quality of the produce but also the variety or produce available and about value for money. Ed from Tomato has just written about his experience of farmers’ markets:

On the negative side from the Farmers’ Market I often end up with about 10kg of poor quality peaches that after a couple of days resemple a sinister pile of shrivelled scrotums filling-up my fruit bowl. Often the food is so ripe it is on the turn. This is the opposite problem to the supermarkets where produce sometimes seems to have been mummified and never ripens.

A farmers’ market takes more skill in shoping than a regular market. Instead of asking the reliable and well-known greengrocer what is good we have to self select from the producer who sells direct. Despite my grandfather being in the fruit growing and import business I still find I often fail at this.

The problem is that there is a whole load of stuff that isn’t available and from past experience I know I don’t want to buy from the Farmers’ Market. That means I have to travel to another market anyway, which makes me think: what’s the point?

Quality Produce?

I must admit that I struggle a bit at fruit and veg markets. I go in hope of picking up some really fresh food, which has just been harvested, for less than what I would pay in a supermarket. Unfortunately, I often see shrivelled eggplant or capsicum or soft potatoes so they are clearly not fresh. How can that be? Don’t they come directly from the farm? Perhaps the produce in farmers’ markets is what the fruit and vege shops or supermarkets refused buy from them?

Sometimes I do think it is my own fault though. I tend to go to my local farmers’ market in the afternoon, not long before they close. Obviously that is pretty stupid. The best produce would surely go fairly early on in the morning. I keep thinking I should go as soon as they open but seeing I’m not much of a morning person, that never happens. However, due to the number of complaints I’ve heard, it seems that there is a definite lack of quality at some farmers’ markets.

Wide Variety of Produce?

The variety of products available in a farmers market will depend on a few things. Firstly, the size of the market. Obviously, a small market won’t have everything you are looking for so you’ll have to go elsewhere to get everything you need. Secondly, the variety of local producers. If producers in your area don’t produce organic lamb, for example, then you won’t be able to get organic lamb at that market. Simple. Thirdly, the variety of produce will depend on the season. I think sometimes we forget (and by we I mean me) that fruit and vegetables grow in certain seasons so it’s not normal to find them all year round. Not when they’ve been grown locally, that is. So if you want to buy local organic produce then don’t expect to see strawberries available in the middle of winter.

Overpriced?

While I don’t find that farmers’ markets are expensive, they are more expensive than I feel they should be. I would think buying direct from the producer would result in significantly cheaper prices. There’s no middleman after all and if they are local producers then the transport costs should be fairly low. However, I’ve found prices in the markets to be fairly similar to those in my local greengrocer. Maybe it’s just too much trouble for them go to the market, set up the stall, and get a couple of people to man it - so they up the prices a bit to make it worth their time.

Why Shop at Farmers’ Markets?

If you go early and are selective then you can get quality organic fruit and vegetables fresh from the farm. If you go regularly you’ll soon figure out who has the best produce and you can get what you want quickly. Certain items such as eggs, cheese, yoghurt, and meat are generally of high quality and reasonably priced.

Where to Find Farmers’ Markets

Farmers’ and growers’ markets can be found all around the country. The links below should help you to find a market near you:

Farmers’ markets in Sydney and NSW
Farmers’ markets in Melbourne and Victoria
Farmers’ markets in Perth and WA
Farmers’ markets in Brisbane and Queensland
Farmers’ markets in Adelaide and South Australia

Helen from Grab Your Fork has a great post about the opening of the new Macro Wholefoods supermarket in Concord. The post includes lots of great photos of some of the delicious looking food such as Lescure butter, Dagoba organic chocolate, and buffalo mozzarella (a personal favourite).

This is what Helen had to say:

Wooden slats feature heavily in the fruit and vegetable section, shiny perspex cannisters hold the bulk nuts and dry goods, the pristine grocery aisles are filled with organic and fair trade products.

In addition to the Concord store, Macro Wholefoods has NSW stores in Bondi Junction, Crows Nest and Hornsby. A stand-alone Macro Cafe is set to open on King Street in Newtown.

Within Macro Wholefoods retail lines, particular growth has been noticed in
* skincare, beauty and cosmetics (particularly non-petroleum products)
* baby products (babyfoods, nappies and lotions)
* detergents (phosphate-free so grey water doesn’t kill gardens)
* organic petfoods
* gluten-free and coeliac alternatives.

If you don’t know much about Macro Wholefoods then this is what they are about:

To get clean food we need a clean source. Macro nurtures a close synergy with certified organic growers and suppliers to make sure that the products we offer are authentic - they have not been synthesised or adulterated in production, processing or storage. We know our growers and they know us. We work together to provide the best organic and natural produce available. Our growers know that Macro does not accept poor produce, working to our stringent quality standards.

The benefits of organic agriculture include:

• Working in harmony with local eco-systems
• Minimising soil erosion
• Encouraging bio-diversity
• Maintaining humane livestock practices.

So if you haven’t been to Macro Wholefoods before are you live near Concord then go and have a look while it’s fresh and new. If you don’t live nearby then there are many other organic supermarkets in Sydney where you can do your shopping.

People in Sydney are lucky enough to have a fairly large choice of organic supermarkets and grocery stores. Organic supermarkets can be found in a number of locations around the city plus there are also a few online grocery stores where you can order fresh fruit and vegetables and other products and have them delivered to your door. If you are aware of any other supermarkets in Sydney, please add their details by leaving a comment.

Organic Supermarkets in Sydney

About Life Natural Market Place
605 Darling Street
Rozelle NSW
Buy online at www.aboutlife.com.au

About Life offers over 10,000 different organic and natural products which can be bought from their shop in Rozelle or online. They also have a cafe, provide herbal remedies, and have a catering service.

Products available include:

• fruit and vegetables
• bread
• dairy
• meat and fish
• pasta, rice, grains
• baking products
• muffins, cakes, biscuits, snacks
• Asian groceries
• prepared meals
• Omveda skin care
• pet food

Macro Whole Foods Market

31-37 Oxford Street
Bondi Junction NSW

43 Majors Bay Road
Concord NSW

13-19 Willoughby Road
Crows Nest NSW

Westfield Hornsby (near David Jones)
Pacific Highway
Hornsby NSW

Macro Wholefoods Market is a supermarket and cafe, retailing organic and natural products.

The Health Emporium
263 Bondi Road
Bondi NSW

Earth Food Store
81 Gould Street
Bondi Beach NSW

Dr Earth Health Foods
444 Oxford Street
Bondi Junction NSW

Garage Organics Whole Food
11 Calga Avenue
Bronte NSW

Honest to Goodness
3 Gibbes Street
Chatswood NSW

Yield Organic Grocer
321 Clovelly Road
Clovelly NSW

Life Organic
125 King Street
Newtown NSW

Back to Eden
Cnr Bedford Road and Park Road
Homebush NSW

Eco Farms
167 Paramatta Road
Homebush NSW

Manly Food Co-Operative
21 Whistler Street
Manly NSW

One Earth Foods
37 The Corso
Manly NSW

Pure Whole Foods
10 Darly Road
Manly NSW

Vegie’s Organics
40 East Esplanade
Manly NSW

Organic Living Wellness Sanctuary
50 Avenue Road
Mosman NSW

Organics Mosman
46 Spit Road
Mosman NSW

Natural Food Market
184 Military Road
Neutral Bay NSW

Ovvio - Organics Lifestyle Store
38B Gurner Street
Paddington NSW
www.ovvioorganics.com.au

O-Organic Produce
487 Crown Street
Surry Hills NSW

Granny Smith Natural Food Market
East Wahroonga Shopping Centre
Hampden Avenue (off Burns Road)
Wahroonga NSW
www.grannysmith.biz

Wholefoods House
109 Queen Street
Woollahra NSW

Online Organic Supermarkets

Lettuce Deliver Organics

The Organic Family

Doorstep Organics

Franks Organics

Green Grocer

Todae

Farmers’ markets are a great way to get all kinds of fresh organic food. Sydney has many excellent farmers’ markets as do many of the larger towns in New South Wales. A list of these markets is below.

Farmers’ Markets in Sydney

Bondi Junction Organic Farmers’ Market
Oxford Street
Bondi Junction NSW 2022

Chatswood Farmers’ Market
Cnr Pacific Highway and Centennial Avenue
Chatswood NSW 2067

Entertainment Quarter Farmers’ Market
Lang Road
Moore Park NSW 2021

Fox Farmers’ Market
Hornsby Mall
Moore Park NSW 2021

Frenchs Forest Organic Market
Parkway Hotel
Frenchs Forest NSW 2086
Every Sunday
7am - 1pm

Good Living Growers’ Market
Pyrmont Day Park
Pyrmont NSW 2009
Every 1st Saturday
7am - 11am

Hawkesbury Farmers’ Market
Castle Hill Showgrounds
Showground Road
Castle Hill NSW 2153
Every 2nd Saturday
8am - 12pm

Hornsby Organic Food Market
Hornsby Mall
Hornsby NSW 2077
Every Thursday
8am - 3pm

Leichhardt Organic Market
Orange Grove School
Cnr Perry Street and Balmain Road
Leichhardt NSW 2040
Every Saturday
8am - 1pm

Manly West Organic Market
Manly West School
Hill Street
Balgowlah NSW 2093

Marrickville Organic Food Market
142 Addison Road
Marrickville NSW 2204
Every Sunday
8:30 - 2pm

Northside Produce Markets
North Sydney NSW
Every 3rd Saturday
8am - 12pm

Penrith Market
Station Street
Penrith NSW 2750
Every Wednesday
8am - 1:30pm

Penshurst Organic Food Market
Pole Depot
23 St Georges Road
Penshurst NSW
Every Sunday
9am - 2pm

St Ives Organic Market
St Ives Showground
Mona Vale Road
St Ives NSW 2075

Warwick Farm Market
Warrick Farm Racecourse
Governor Macquarie Drive
Warwick Farm NSW 2170
Every Saturday
8am - 1pm

Farmers’ Markets in Country New South Wales

Bathurst Farmers’ Market
Bathurst Showgrounds
Bathurst NSW 2795
Every 4th Saturday
8am - 12pm

Blackheath Growers’ Market
Blackheath Community Centre
Corner of Gardiner Street and Great Western Highway
Blackheath NSW 2785
Sometimes at Blackheath Public School
Corner of Leichhardt and Great Western Highway
Check dates and locations here.
Every 2nd Sunday
9am - 1pm

Byron Farmers’ Market
Butler Street Reserve
Byron Bay NSW 2481
Every Thursday
8am - 11am

Bangalow Farmers’ Market
Bangalow Hotel
Bangalow NSW 2479

Banora Point Farmers’ Market
Leisure Drive
Banora Point NSW 2486

Camden Farmers’ Market
Lower John Street
Camden NSW 2577
Every 2nd and 4th Saturday
7am - 12pm

Coffs Harbour Growers’ Market
City Square
Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Every Thursday
8:30am - 4:30pm

Dubbo Farmers Market
Lions Park
Adjacent to the Dubbo Visitors Centre
Dubbo NSW
Every 1st and 3rd Saturday
8am - 12pm

Ettalong Organic Food Market
189 Ocean View Road
Ettalong NSW 2257

Grafton Farmers’ Market
Market Square
Grafton NSW 2460
Every 2nd Thursday
7am - 1pm

Great Lakes Produce Market
School of Arts Hall
Forster NSW 2428
Every 3rd Saturday
8am - 12pm

Hastings Farmers’ Market
Wauchope Showgrounds
Wauchope NSW 2446
Every 4th Saturday
8am - 12pm

Maclean Farmers’ Market
Maclean Showgrounds
Maclean NSW 2463
Every 1st Saturday
8am - 12pm

Mudgee Farmers’ Market
St Mary’s Church
Mudgee NSW 2850
Every 3rd Saturday
9am - 12pm

Nabiac Farmers’ Market
286 Aerodrome Road
Nabiac NSW 2312
Every last Saturday
8am - 12pm

North Coast Farmers’ Market
Lismore Showgrounds
Lismore NSW 2480
Every Last Saturday
8am - 12pm

Rainbow Region Organic Market
Lismore Showgrounds
Lismore NSW 2480
Every Tuesday
7am - 10am

Wagga Wagga Farmers’ Market
Wollundry Lagoon
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Every 2nd Saturday
8am - 1pm

Wingham Farmers’ Market
Wingham Showgrounds
Wingham NSW 2429

Young & Region Farmers Market
Anderson Park (Railway Station)
Young NSW
Every 1st and 3rd Saturday
7am - 11am (8am - 11am in winter)

Below is a list of a number of farmers’ markets in Queensland where you can find fresh local produce. You will not only be able to find fresh fruit and vegetables in these markets but possibly fresh meat, milk, cheese, fish, bread, cakes, jams, and olive oils. Many of these products will be organically grown without the use of pesticides, chemical fertilisers, and antibiotics.

If you are aware of any more please leave a comment with the details.

Farmers’ Markets in Brisbane and Queensland

Brisbane Powerhouse Farmers’ Market
117 Lamington Street
New Farm QLD 4005
Every 2nd and 4th Saturday
6am - 11.30am

Gold Coast Organic Farmers Market
Miami State High School
Miami QLD 4220
Every Sunday
6am - 11:30am

Jimboomba Hills Markets
Johanna Street
Jimboomba QLD
Every 3rd Sunday
6am - 12pm

Northey Street Organic Growers Market
Northey and Victoria Streets
Windsor QLD 4030
Every Sunday
6am - 10.30am

Marina Mirage Farmers’ Market
Seaworld Drive
The Spit QLD
Every 1st and 3rd Saturday
7am - 12pm

Mondo Organic Market
166 Hardgrave Road
West End QLD 4101
Every Saturday
7.30am - 12pm

Mudgeeraba Farmers’ Markets
Mudgeeraba Road
Mudgeeraba QLD 4213
Every 1st and 3rd Saturday
7am - 12pm

Noosa Farmers’ Markets
Weyba Road
Noosaville QLD 4566
Every Sunday
7am - 12pm

Permaculture Caboolture Organic Farmers Market
150 Rowley Road
Burpengary QLD
Every 1st and 3rd Saturday

Redlands Farmers’ Market
850 Mt Cotton Road
Mt Cotton QLD
Every last Saturday
8am - 12.30pm

Stanthorpe Farmers’ Market
Wallangarra Road
Stanthorpe QLD
Every 3rd Sunday
7am - 12pm

There doesn’t seem to be a huge number of farmers’ markets in South Australia but those available appear to be good quality markets. Farmers’ markets are a great way to get fresh produce, especially organic produce.

Farmers’ markets, or growers’ markets as they are sometimes known, are markets where local farmers sell their produce to the public. They have a reputation for selling very fresh produce at a very reasonable prices. Not only are the fruit and vegetables fresh, they are also in season which means they will have the best flavour possible.

Whether in Adelaide or in county South Australia look out for the following food markets:

Barossa Farmers’ Market
Cnr Nuriootpa and Angaston Roads
Angaston SA 5353
Every Saturday
7.30 - 11.30am

Battunga Growers’ Market
2 Marriot Street
Macclesfield SA 5153
Every Sunday

Wayville Farmers Market
Every Sunday
9am - 1pm

Willunga Farmers’ Market
Alma Hotel Car Park
Willunga SA 5172
Every Saturday
8am - 12.30pm

Please leave a comment if you know of other markets in Adelaide or elsewhere in South Australia. If you are in Western Australia and are looking for fresh produce then you can find a list of farmers’ markets here or there is a wide variety of farmers’ markets in Victoria if you live in that part of Australia.

The other day I listed all the farmers’ markets in Perth and the rest of WA. Unfortunately there aren’t that many. Thankfully Melbourne is a different story and there are lots more choices there. I used to live in Melbourne (I’m thinking of moving back there) and they had some great organic fruit and vege shops then. I know there are even more now but you can’t beat a farmers’ market if you can get to one.

Here is a list of farmers’ markets in Melbourne and country Victoria. Feel free to add any I’ve missed and leave a comment if you have visited one of these, mentioning if it is has quality produce or if you had any problems.

Farmers’ Markets in Melbourne

Albert Park Farmers Market
Graham Street
Albert Park VIC
Every 3rd Saturday
8:30am - 1pm

Boroondara Farmers’ Market
Patterson Reserve
Auburn Road
East Hawthorn VIC 3123

Bundoora Farmers’ Market
Bundoora Park
Plenty Road
Bundoora VIC
Every 1st Saturday
8am - 1pm

Collingwood Market
St Heliers Convent
Abbotsford VIC
Every 2nd Saturday
8am - 1pm

Kingston Farmers’ Market
Cnr Nepean Hwy and Bay Road
Highett VIC 3190
Every 1st Saturday
8am - 1pm

Slow Food Melbourne
St Heliers Street
Abbotsford Convent VIC
Every 4th Saturday
8am - 1pm

South Melbourne Market
Cnr Cecil and Coventry Streets
South Melbourne VIC 3205

St Kilda Farmers’ Market
Peanut Farm
St Kilda VIC 3182

Farmers’ Markets in country Victoria

Aireys Farmers’ Market
Great Ocean Road
Aireys Inlet VIC 3231
Every 2nd Sunday
9am - 1pm

Buninyong Farmers Market
Buninyong VIC
Every 3rd Saturday

Cardinia Farmers’ Market
Packenham Racecourse
Packenham VIC 3810
Every 2nd Saturday
8am - 12pm

Castlemaine Farmers’ Market
Mostyn Street
Castlemaine VIC
Every 1st Sunday
9am - 1pm

Central Murray Farmers’ Market
Alton Reserve
High Street
Echuca VIC

Churchill Island Farmers’ Market
Churchill Island VIC
Every 4th Saturday
8am - 1pm

Daylesford Farmers’ Market
Daylesford Primary School
Victoria Park Daylesford VIC
Every 1st Saturday
9am - 1:30pm

Geelong Farmers’ Market
Little Mallop Street
Geelong VIC 3220
Every 2nd Saturday
8:30am - 12:30pm

Gippsland Farmers’ Market
McKean Street
Bairnsdale VIC
Every 1st Saturday
8am - 1pm

Knox Farmers’ Market
Mountain Highway
Wantirna South VIC 3956
Every 3rd Saturday
8am - 1pm

Lancefield & District Farmers’ Market
Central Plantation
Lancefield VIC
Every 4th Saturday
9am - 1pm

Metung Farmers’ Market
Metung Gippsland Lakes VIC
Every 2nd Saturday
8am - 1pm

Mornington Farmers’ Market
Vale Street
Mornington VIC

Moyhu Farmers’ Market
Cnr Whitfield Road and Meadow Creek Road
Moyhu VIC 3732
Every 3rd Saturday
9am - 12pm

Port Fairy Farmers’ Market
Cnr Sackville Street and Bank Street
Port Fairy VIC
Every 3rd Saturday
7am - 1pm

Talbot Farmers’ Market
Scandinavian Crescent VIC
Every 3rd Sunday
10am - 2pm

Traralgon Farmers’ Market
Kay Street
Traralgon VIC
Every 4th Saturday
8am - 1pm

Wadonga Farmers’ Market
Lincoln Causeway
Wadonga VIC

Wellington Farmers’ Market
Central Gippsland VIC 3850
Every 3rd Saturday
8am - 12:30pm

Yarra Valley Farmers’ Market
38 Melba Highway
Yering Station VIC
Every 3rd Sunday
10am - 3pm

Farmers’ markets are a great way to get fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables as well as meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, and fish, depending on the market. The produce is often organic, free range, and grown in a sustainable manner.

Listed below are a number of farmers’ markets around Perth and in country WA. If you know of any other markets please leave a comment with the details.

Farmers’ Markets in Perth

Armadale Producers Market
Opening 9th November 2008
Council Car Park Adjacent to Minnawarra Park
Corner of Jull Street and Church Avenue
Armadale WA 6112
Every Sunday
8:30am - 12:30pm

City Farm Organic Growers’ Market
1 City Farm Place
Corner of Lime and Brown Streets
East Perth WA
Every Saturday
8am - 12pm

Karrinyup Farmers’ Market
Opening Soon

Midland Farmers’ Market
The Crescent
Midland WA
Every Sunday
From 6am

Mondo’s Saturday Market
824 Beaufort Street
Inglewood WA
Every Saturday
8am - 12pm

Mt Claremont Farmers’ Market
Mt Claremont Primary School
Near the Perth Royal Show Grounds
Corner of Alfred Road and Montgomery Drive
Mt Claremont WA
Every Saturday
8:30 -12:30pm

Peel Farmers’ Market
Opening 2009

Western Farmers’ Market
Corner of High and Montreal Streets
Fremantle WA
Every Sunday
7:30am - 12:30pm

Farmers’ Markets in Country Western Australia

Albany Farmers’ Market
Aberdeen Street
Albany WA
Every Saturday
8am - 12pm

Boyanup Farmers’ Market
Boyanup Memorial Park
South Western Highway WA
Every 4th Sunday
8am - 12pm

Gascoyne Growers’ Market
Carnarvon WA
Every Saturday (May to October)
8am - 12pm

Geraldton Farmers’ Market
Opening Soon

Manjimup Farmers’ Market
Rose Street
Manjimup WA
Every 3rd Saturday
8am - 12pm

Margaret River Farmers’ Market
Tunbridge Street
Margaret River WA
Every 2nd Sunday
8am - 12pm