November 2007

The Oratia Farmers Market opened for business at 9 am Saturday October 20th. Waitakere City Mayoress Barbara Harvey cut the ribbon, having acknowledged the history of the Oratia Valley as the fruit bowl of Auckland. The large crowd also enjoyed local identity Rudy Sunde's ode to the valley “Summer in the Valley” sung by Rudy and his wife Pat.

Thousands came to the market throughout the morning. Latecomers missed the beautiful displays of local food and produce as stallholders progressively sold out. Our egg farmers rushed home “to squeeze their hens.” Our honey people went all the way back to Bethels beach to get more pots and sold all of that too. 

Local band “Gone West” provided easy listening music which added to the festive atmosphere and the weather obliged with glimpses of sunshine.

On opening day we had stallholders selling fresh produce, bread, eggs, honey, chocolate, olive oil, muesli, fresh pasta, preserves, seafood, plants and flowers. We also served coffee and brunch snacks. More produce stalls, organic meat, jams and baking are coming in.

Stallholders and management alike learned a lot from our first market. We aim to develop a market where you can come every week to find the best of local food and produce for your table.