5 Oct 2007

By DIANE BISHOP - The Southland Times | Friday, 5 October 2007

TASTY TREATS: Caroline Carter (left) trying one of Marianne Henderson's tasty pumpkin and chocolate cupcakes that will be tempting taste buds at the first Gore Farmers Market tomorrow.

Fancy a pumpkin and chocolate cupcake or perhaps a venison sausage or two? Food with a strong Southland flavour will be tempting taste buds at the Gore Farmers Market tomorrow.

The market, a first for the town, is a popular concept nationwide with a focus on locally grown and seasonally fresh produce with almost zero food miles.

Gore Farmers Market steering committee secretary Marianne Henderson said the idea for a market in Gore was initiated 18 months ago and had been driven by strong public demand. "It's been quite scary, the amount of interest," she said.

Eleven stallholders will showcase their produce which includes venison salami, seafood, salad greens and pestos through to freshly baked bread, honey, free range eggs, chocolates, chutneys, hazelnuts and walnuts. Chairwoman Caroline Carter said farmers markets provided an opportunity for local people to market seasonally fresh produce to the wider community.

The markets will be held on the first and third Saturday of every month in the Old Horse Bazaar on Mersey St, Gore from 8.30am to noon.