helloooooo

Robyn

Pia

msdarlinghurst

thebagelshop

Liz

Thuy

Jessie

flowertree_healthfoods

Mai Creation

Local Market Guide

Simon

5 Questions with Lee & Wami

From free range eggs to biodynamic fruit and veg: you are now a well entrenched and much loved stallie at Kings Cross Market.  What do you love most about market life

The markets are where you go to get something that is not available at your local store, an experience, something unusual or just a bargain.  We love being the one who brings this to people.

Your eggs literally "fly" out the door.  Can you explain what defines "organic" and "free range" and why they not only taste better, but more importantly, why we should choose to buy these types of eggs as opposed to those in the local supermarket

Well freshness is always a consideration and the usual story of supporting the little guys is a nice one too. What can I say: they are certified organic free range, no beak trimming with an open gate policy eggs: so if you ever want to pop in an ensure they are what they say they are then, you can!

What is your best seller at market

Ooohhh...that's a tough one.  It changes as do the seasons and depending on what I have to offer at the time.

But some of the tried and proven items consist of my certified Bio-Dynamic salad mix (amazingly fresh, lasting well past its use-by date staying crisp and delicious!), eggies and my selection of fresh produce is also now starting to get a following.

Amongst your produce, you have biodynamic blueberries, mangos and insane tasting dragon fruit.  For those who may not fully understand, can you give us a bit of insight as to what "biodynamic" means, how it aids our overall wellbeing, why it's an important part of our daily intake of goodness and how it differs from say, organically grown produce

The quick answer for bio-dyniamic is "super organic".  You have all the organic principles that you must follow and then have another set of principles above and beyond that which must be adhered to.  The benefits to the earth and land have been shown many times over in research that has been carried out.

And what about us?  Well, I solemnly believe we should eat what we are guided to by our own intuition as we have the ability to make the right choice for ourselves at each step of the way.

From your perspective, what is it about markets like Kings Cross that form an integral part of the community and why should we, as consumers, support it as much as we can

The basic premise for markets, in our opinion, is it gives people a chance to experience something which is outside the norm of what you would find in other places.

If it tickles your fancy or floats your boat then head on over and join the fun!

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Reckon there's something in that for all of us don't you?

Take it from us, there is standing room only for these guys and once you taste their produce you will too will become enslaved to their goodness and have a bit of a laugh while you're at it

Litza shares her love of Kings Cross Markets

When did you first stumble across what is now one of Sydney's best Saturday Market (aka Kings Cross Markets)

I recently moved into this area of Sydney.  I was thrilled to discover these gorgeous markets at the top of my street.  I literally stumbled across them while out exploring my new neighbourhood.  Now I look forward to visiting them most weekends.

You also have a massage therapy practice nearby.  From a holistic point of view, why do you think markets like ours form not only an important part of the community, but also complement or add to our lifestyles in ways we may not necessarily have thought of

I think that happiness, fresh air, human interaction and good food are essential.  I think flowers are important too! 

So the markets definitely assist well being.

I think we shouldn't underestimate the importance of community and neighbourhood. All around the world the marketplace has historically been a centre for community: a place for people to come together as important for socialising as is for trade. Experiences which delight the senses are good for the body and the mind and markets certainly do that.

Do you have a "musty buy, can't live without" purchase, and if so what and why

Hmmmm....it's different every week.  If I get to the Soda Bread stall in time I always pick up a loaf.  Their gluten free bread is the best I've ever tried!

And I have my eye on a baby fig tree at the plant stall....maybe next market day!

Is this a solo expedition or do you like the share the love

Sometimes I wander up to the markets by myself but it's a pretty friendly place, so I often end up chatting to someone.  If I have visitors or am meeting up with friends, I always suggest the markets for lunch as there is plenty of great food to choose from and then you can go and sit by the fountain to eat.

How would you sum up the world of Kings Cross Markets in 5 words

Happy

Delicious

Outdoors

Community

Sensorial

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A massive thank you to Litza for not only discovering our markets, but sharing the love with us, you and all her friends!  We look forward to seeing you on a Saturday often!

2014 Shouout!

The Bagel Shop

Curium Magazine

Bonus Health

Jenni

Nicole

Venus Wholefoods

natsue

bec

Alison talks Paleo

The Paleo Food Movement is gaining incredible momentum with its sensible approach to eating good wholesome foods where the health benefits are immeasurable.  What was it about this lifestyle that first attracted you and what was the impetus to being your own personal food movement

Paleo Foodies

I've always been really interested in health and nutrition with many different diets.  I was first introduced to the Paleo diet about 5 years ago and I saw immediate results from cutting out things like grains.

I felt lighter, more energetic and more vibrant and the approach to food just made so much sense.  I think a lot of people are easily misled by messages put out by large, powerful food manufacturers - such as "eat low fat" etc.  I encourage anyone to do their own research and also try a range of different foods to see what works for them.  

I am really passionate about sharing what I have discovered through healthy whole food eating, and demonstrating how easy it is to maintain a lifestyle based on Paleo principles.

For those who may not be fully aware or totally comprehend "Paleo", can you give a brief outline as to its ethos and why we should (if possible) apply even a smidge of it in to our every day eating routine

At its most basic level, Paleo is maintaining a diet that resembles how our paleolithic ancestors ate with a modern application.  The principles of the diet are to eat whole foods as they exist in nature and source local and seasonal produce.

Meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits and some nuts and seeds form the basis of the diet, while things like grains, sugars, dairy products, legumes (including soy products) and any ingredient that has been refined and processed are eliminated.

There's no denying that the number of people diagnosed with auto-immune and non-communicable diseases is increasing.  These diseases were not around millions of years ago, and somewhere in the last few thousand years - a tiny smidgen of our human existence - we have introduced a plethora of health issues.

For someone wanting to try the Paleo diet, my advice would be to cut things out slowly. Start with grains, then when your body has adjusted, try cutting out dairy.  I would also recommend reading one of the many great books available to help guide you through your lifestyle change, including "The Paleo Solution" by Robb Wolf, "The Primal Blueprint" by Mark Sisson (a slightly modified version which includes some dairy), or you could follow the Whole30 Program which is based on Paleo principles.

For Paleo cooking I'd recommend "Everyday Paleo" by Sarah Ferguson or the blogsite "Nom Nom Paleo". 

And of course to find paleo-friendly places to dine, follow my blog "Paleo Foodies" which you can check out "here".

What role does organic produce play in the Paleo lifestyle

Choosing to eat organic is a personal choice but one that the Paleo lifestyle definitely supports.  Not only are you eating healthier foods produced free from chemicals, in most cases you're supporting local farmers and since they don't use any chemicals, the produce is always in season.

Some people argue that eating organic is more expensive, but I tend to disagree and it really depends on where you buy.

There are local organic markets in most areas across Sydney and because you're buying directly from the seller the prices are quite low.

When did you first come across Kings Cross Market and what drew you there initially

I first came across Kings Cross Markets a few months ago.  I went because of the convenient time they are on - Saturdays between 8:00am -2:00pm.  Now I love going each week and am getting to know the producers.  It's nice to be able to ask questions directly to the producer - such as where they grow their produce, the best way to prepare an item etc.

The produce is really fresh and it stays fresh for longer so I don't have to do multiple trips throughout the week.  I source my organic vegetables and free range eggs from the markets.  I also love to pick up a fresh bunch of native flowers for the home and I usually grab a green smoothie from the raw juice bar.

In your opinion, what is it about markets such as Kings Cross, that form an integral part of the local community and what can we do (as shoppers) to help it keep on keeping on

I think local markets are a really important and valuable part of our community.  I have travelled around the world and one of my favourite things to do in foreign countries is to check out the local market because food is what brings people together, and you can learn so much about a culture and their cuisine by visiting where they source their raw ingredients.

Markets are a way for the community to come together and it's how we have sourced fresh produce for thousands of years.  It's a rich tradition across many cultures and it's exciting to see so many Sydney-siders supporting and visiting their local markets each week.  It's also a great activity for a Saturday morning and the perfect way to start the weekend.

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Couldn't have put it better ourselves.  A massive thank you to Alison for her time and giving us some user-friendly info about the Paleo lifestyle.  

If you missed the links above, you can read more about Paleo Foodies both "here" and "here" and stay tuned cause there is going to be some exciting happenings not just with us but with Paleo Foodies as well!

Muchos Gracias stgrammers

omar

@bayswater15

david

@thewholylife

danni

Yaz

@whenitrainsitpours

5 Questions with Slowly Does It Food

Can you give us a brief history as to how "Slowly Does It Food" came in to your life and the process behind the name

"Slowly Does It Food" started out as a packaged food market stall about 4 years ago. The name related to the type of food I cooked and packaged (ie: slow cooked stews, lamb shanks and french daubes) and also to the more general food philosophy promoted by the "slow food movement".

Slow food is about preserving food traditions and promoting agricultural sustainability, bio-diversity, small producers and endangered foods.

2 years ago I transformed the business to an online food market selling organic fruit & veg, grass fed meats, fresh fish and an ever increasing amount of pantry produce and deli items.

I felt the name "Slowly Does It Food" represented the food ethos of the online shop so I kept it!  

Slow food rules!

You are now pretty well established at Kings Cross Markets.  What has been the biggest growth for your stall that you have noticed since starting?

I would say definitely the biggest growth is with my more senior clientele.  The amount of times people tell me that that "this apple" or "that tomato" reminds them of the fruit and vegetables from their childhood has made me realise that we are starting to come full circle with food production.

I genuinely believe more and more people simply want food that has been grown naturally and more importantly, tastes better.

Do you think that there has been a noticeable change in the way consumers shop where opting to shop for organic produce at a market rather than smash-and-grab in a supermarket?

People are definitely more aware that supermarkets put the squeeze on producers & growers making it very hard for them to have a decent income and produce good flavoursome produce.

Generally I hear customers commenting that organic produce offered at supermarkets is of poor quality and range.

My own theory, for what it's worth, is that it is not in the interest of the supermarkets to promote good quality organic produce over conventional sprayed produce.

Spray produce has a longer shelf life, is easier to produce and transport and has a more consistant appearance, so why would supermarkets want people to buy organic produce?  Just a theory....

What has been the largest amount of any item you have sold in one day?

Kale!  We take 60 bunches of the freshest kale to Kings Cross Market every week, and 3 varieties at that.  Along with English Spinach and Silverbeet.  We sell over 100 bunches of fresh greens every week

In 5 words, why should people buy organic, more especially, buy their organic fare from Slowly Does It Food?

Vegetables taste better from Bob

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And yes they do!  Huge thanks to Bob for sharing a bit of what makes Slowly Does It Food a firm favourite in our Kings Cross Market community