Sharing the love with Solange

How long ago did you not only discover but fall in love with Kings Cross Markets

I discovered the market when I moved to Sydney in early 2011 but started visiting more regularly in the middle of 2012, initially for the flowers and then (as I started adopting a healthier lifestyle) for the produce.

What is it about these markets that keeps you coming back

It's a nice walk from where I live.  It's intimate but has everything I need and there are lots of fantastic places nearby

Do you have a favourite stallie and if so, who and why

I don't often indulge in their treats but I love the gozleme stall...soooo yummy

My fave has to be Slowly Does It Food.  Such a huge range of organic delicious produce.

Are the markets now part of your weekly kick-back and chillax Saturday routine

Yep, my routine is a boxing class in the park before strolling to the Markets, having a coffee, browsing and picking up a bag of green produce for the week.

If you could summarise why Kings Cross Markets should be on everyone's "must do" list in one sentence, what would it be

Kings Cross is better known for things other than its Saturday markets, but the vibe there on a Saturday morning is really energising.  And with Kings Cross Station being literally around the corner, it's super easy to get to and have a wander around.

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Huge thank you to the lovely Solange who took some time out of her busy day to share some what she loves about our Kings Cross Market

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