Farmers cater to the fussy at Tweed markets
TWEED market-goers are demanding more than their two fruit and five veg from their local farmers market.
Market committee members say its best to have farmers only, however, customer surveys show they want products other than just fresh produce.
And there is good reason for this according to market manager Deb Fuller who said market day is a busy day of the week and there is consistent interest to access more.
"It is our view that Farmers Markets should offer a broadly diverse and seasonal range of fresh and value added products," she said.
While some people are content to just buy their strawberries, others are looking for more, such as fruit preserves, juices and baked goods.
Fuller calls them 'value-added products' and she has a policy enforcing farmers to only make extra products from fresh foods they have grown themselves.
Currently, a quarter of Caldera Farmer's Market now provides value-added products.
These goods extend to meat and dairy products, sauces and jams and there are plans to soon introduce poultry.
Local Tweed market-goer Heather Curry said she enjoys going down on a Sunday and buying cheap, fresh food.
"It's great because it's local and you know the ingredients are local," she said.
"I like having the variety and option to buy homemade breads and jams, as well as homemade pizza."
