By Lynnaire Johnston
Although the weather seems determined to prove otherwise, we are now into harvest season. And that means the first of our three annual harvest markets.
As has been the case in previous years, these are held on the front porch of the Old Stores in Harvey Street. This year the dates are Sunday Feb 20, March 20 and April 17.
Anyone with locally grown produce to sell is welcome to have a sales table. No need to book, just come along around 9.30 or so. Customers usually start coming by around 10.30 and often everything is sold by midday.
Edible Garden Tour
Something quite special has been planned for this year's annual edible garden tour later this month. The tour heads slightly north to two amazing gardens – one in Seacliff, the other above Karitane. Both are owned by exceptionally talented and knowledgeable people who will be more than keen to pass on plenty of information and tips.
The tour will be held on February 26 from 10am, but numbers are deliberately kept small. Tickets go on sale on February 1 and can be ordered by phoning Lucy Jack on 482 1773.
This is a grand day out at inspiring local food-producing gardens and includes a sumptuous lunch of local ingredients. An event not to be missed.
Local Food
The local food movement is gaining momentum with two new initiatives. The first is a new website – www.localfood.co.nz – where local food producers from all round the country are able to list their wares and invite sales. Set up by Elizabeth Vandenburg from Karitane, the website has already had national media exposure and continues to grow exponentially. It is worth looking at to see what is available in our area.
The second development is the availability of locally grown organic produce through the Village Potager, in Doctor's Point Road. Thanks to an arrangement with Taste Nature's owners, Mark and Rayna Dickson, who have an organic garden in Waitati, locally grown produce now has a local outlet. This will by no means allow you to completely avoid the produce department at the supermarket, but will help cut your food miles and allow you to eat food that has been out of the ground for hours rather than days.
The WEGies welcome anyone with an interest in growing food. Phone Lynnaire Johnston on 482 1364 for details.
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