Monday, April 7, 2014

Orange F.O.O.D Week producers markets + the Agrestic Grocer

Yesterday I spent the day in the Central West. Some may say I am mad to have driven about 6 hours (round trip) just to visit the Orange F.O.O.D Week producers market, but I don't care! It was the most beautiful day and it made me appreciate farmers and producers even more than I already did.

F.O.O.D Week is on annually in the city of Orange NSW (roughly three hours west of Sydney) and I had been busting to get to one of the events. Some of the really popular events had already been booked out by the time I realised I wanted to go, so the producers market on Sunday was a must for me.

I read something on Facebook last week promoting people to shop at their local farmers market. Basically the post said if you were to stop shopping at your local supermarket they wouldn't notice the loss in business. If you in stead purchased your produce from a farmer's stall at the market you know where your money is going and are supporting the farmer 100%, your purchase might even save their farm.

I am in love with shopping up at farmers' markets. There is something about buying wholesome, fresh food and meeting the people who grew it.

Walking through Cook Park on my way to the markets. Such an enchanting park, don't you think?

So off I drove to Orange for the day with Trav's esky in tow. As well as heading to the markets, high on my list of things to do while in Orange was a visit to the Agrestic Grocer. I found their Facebook page through another blogger and they were also a part of the F.O.O.D Week events. I was expecting a quaint little cafe with some fresh produce and coffee but was blown away at how nice a business this was!


Located on the Wellington Road side of Orange (a little way from the centre of town), this restaurant is so beautiful and has the nicest, wholesome feel about it. I wanted to stay all day.

Plus, all of the producers I met at the market stock their products at the grocer so anybody from Orange (and visiting) can purchase home-grown goodness when ever they feel the need!


One side of the business is dedicated to the groceries and produce and the other side is the restaurant with kick-ass beer garden and live music! You can feast on locally made goodies and drink fresh brewed beer or coffee all day.


Everything about this place made me smile, I only wish we had somewhere like this closer to home! (A new business venture perhaps??! ha!)




This one trip to Orange to indulge in the gorgeousness they have on offer has made me really think about where I spend my money and how I want to live my life. Living more simply is something I am aiming for this year (and for the rest of my years) and if starting small and being mindful of where my food comes from and who I am supporting whilst buying it is a step closer to that, well then I am off to a good start!

E, x





4 comments:

  1. What a lovely day Ellie! Im very envious- Orange is one of my favourite towns and regions in Australia! Gorgeous photos and a well written post. So nice you had a great day out. I, for one, dont think youre crazy for travelling 6+ hours just for the day!!!

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    1. Thanks Kylie! It was such a beautiful day with so many great things to get pictures of! I definitely recommend getting to next year's F.O.O.D week events! I hear the "forage" event they do is amazing and books out fast! I'm glad there's someone out there who agrees the long trip is well worth it! :) Thanks for commenting!!

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  2. I love farmers markets! I don't feel so silly driving 45 minutes to one now! Sounds like your trip was well worth it :)

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    1. Haha Ally K, never feel silly for traveling to a farmers market! It is so worth it! I know how you feel though, I drove over an hour to get to the Bondi markets last year and friends at work thought I was crazy - look at me now! LOL x

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