Do you have a local farmers markets where you live? Here in Newcastle at the Showground each Sunday we have the Farmers Market on. Now, I do admit that they’ve been running for a few years now and I have been, well, there’s no other way to say it, but too lazy to go! But the other week I thought I’m going to have a look around and so off I went at 8.00am on Sunday morning. I couldn’t believe the amount of great food and stuff that they had there! The Newcastle Markets are designed that you have to grow or make it yourself or be representing some small local business, lots of fresh vegies and fruit – can you believe that bananas were only $5.99 a kilo instead of the $12.99 per kilo at Coles!! Plus, local honey and nuts and coffee, meat and lots more and pretty well all of it organic where possible!

Then and there I decided that we would support our local industries from now on. Yeah, sure some of it may be a tad more expensive, but I like the fact that we are helping our fellow small business holders! And what is also a bonus, is no plastic bags, everything fresh… yummo!

So, the next week I dragged Chris along and we bought some vegies and I tell you, they were the BEST potatoes and sweet potato that we’ve EVER had! Just peeling them you could tell how fresh they were and they just tasted so great. Sheer bliss. After eating food that’s been stored in cold storage for a year you kind of forget the joy of eating fresh food. We’re still raving over it! I have always bought free range eggs so that I’m eating “happy” eggs. I know there are a lot of people out there that say that there is nothing different in nutrients in organic foods as opposed to foods with pesticides used on them, but my argument is that it’s better for the earth that we aren’t using pesticides. Personally, I feel eating organic has to be better!

But not only that, the atmosphere is wonderful. It’s like an old fashioned shopping trip where you knew everyone and everyone chats and is happy and polite and you’re not just a number. There are so many people there all pulling along their little shopping carriers, everyone there is after the taste of freshness and being environmentally friendly.

So we have definitely decided that we will shop there at the markets first and get whatever we can, then head on over to Coles for the top up. We’re actually looking forward to it after that great experience that we had. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

So, take a look at where you live and make the effort to head to the local markets if you have one. If you don’t, why not think about starting one, though start small! There is nothing better for you and your family than eating fresh vegies and fruit and organic where possible, and of course, it is so much better for Mother Earth if we do this as well. Poor old Mother Earth has taken a battering by us and you are doing things twofold by helping your local businesses and also Mother Earth. Both will thank you!

Have a great week everyone.

Katrina