Farmers’ markets next big thing

If genetic engineering can create mice with glowing hearts and kill off monarch butterfly caterpillars, how will it affect our own sensitive digestive tracts? This is one of the reasons why farmers’ markets, seen as the real deal in healthy, organic local foods, have become so popular.
If you are wondering where to buy real fruit jams made from strawberries and blue berries picked at dawn from fields in the misty Nyanga Downs, or crisp lettuces, purple aubergines and snowy white cauliflowers grown without pesticides, herbicides or fungicides, visit the monthly farmers’ market at Doon Estate.
Last Saturday George and I departed early, and successfully navigated potholes and off-duty traffic lights on the Mutare Road leading to Msasa. We turned right into Harrow Road, and arrived at Doon Estate just after 9am, as stall holders and farmers were unpacking their produce and setting out their wares.
Having filled my shopping basket with fresh herbs, lettuce, beetroot and fiery red bird’s eye chillis, I turned my attention to an irresistible display of children’s party food and home-made cakes.
Farmers’ markets are not only about fruit, vegetables and flowers: Last week’s delectable items included homemade pasta, lasagne, gourmet flavoured salad oils, muffins, chocolates and croissants.
Booksellers did a brisk trade, with a fascinating selection of local and imported titles. Fellow bookworms eagerly exchanged critiques of novels they had read or hoped to read. It seemed that the world and his partner had arrived at Doon farmers’ market, and when George and I eventually made our way to Veldemeers for a chilli hot chocolate and an almond croissant, there wasn’t a table to be had for either love or money.
After a lengthy wait, we joined forces with friends, Liz and Egbert, and secured a recently vacated table. We gave our orders, but half an hour later, we were still casting a jaundiced eye at the previous guests’ cups and saucers.
Egbert likes things to be ship shape, so eventually he lent a hand and carried everything away to the galley. When our steaming hot Belgian chocolate drinks and light-as-air almond croissants arrived, we recovered our good humour and resolved on a return visit when things were less hectic.
Hans, the owner of Veldemeers, was previously renowned for being a top-class chocolatier. Having recently acquired a croissant-making machine, he now enjoys a reputation for producing superb croissants. These were also on sale at the farmers’ market, but can be bought in a frozen state at any time from Veldemeers.
Towards mid-day, we returned to the market, to find everything sold out and farmers and entrepreneurs packing away their trestle tables and umbrellas.
A farmers’ market is traditionally the oldest form of direct marketing by small farmers to the public, and a pleasant alternative to buying shrink-wrapped produce from a supermarket.
In 1934, the first outdoors market opened in Los Angeles, when farmers drove in with their produce and displayed it on the tailgates of their vehicles. Delighted customers bought up all the fruit, vegetables and flowers and eventually the market became an institution and tourist destination.
Given the average Zimbo’s pre-occupation with food, there’s every reason to expect that the Doon Estate farmers’ market will continue to offer more and more delicious produce, and to attract a growing number of visitors every month.
 
For details of the next farmers’ market, apply to: frenchfries@zol.co.zw
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