Hawkes Bay Farmers Market — Attraction in North Island

Don't be a Brian, go to the farmers market with an open mind, something for everyone I'm sure.

This sounded like an annoying waste of my Sunday morning, but my daughter kept on going on and on for so long. She undersold it as somewhere to go get free samples of things like peanut something lollie stuff.

Once I arrived I was still fairly confident I was wasting my time, and I would make a quick round in 20 minutes, she could get her peanut brittle and I would buy a bag to get a few months of peace.

As I started walking I was uninterested in what I saw, so was making excellent time. But then.... Suddenly I saw a tent that had some wicked Wanda... I tried walking past, I didn't really want to taste it, I wanted to leave... But I was so curious, so I went back... And I looked at the range of sauces... Salivating at the thought. I couldn't help it, I tried one. It wasn't for me, I tried another, wasn't for me, I tried another! That was it! I bought that sauce, and wasted a few hours experiencing things I would never consider.

Now own bottles of infused olive oils, smokey bbq chilli sauce, a massive bunch of asparagus (seconds that are higher quality than the supermarket at 1/4 the price) looking forward to going back to check out some of the merlot next time.

Don't be a Brian, go to the farmers market with an open mind, something for...

The concept is very good. A place where you get your coffee fix as well as browse various stalls that sell the homegrown, locally sourced products put together with a twist of igenuity and creativity. Yes an orange is orange when you see them in pak n save etc but an orange at the market is another level. You see the difference , feel the difference and taste the difference. It is same with all the items on sale at the market. The one thing I can say that feels different is that the number of stalls are definately fewer than before cyclone Gabrielle . Might be other reasons but I think the market may still be in recovery mode. Nevertheless , great atmosphere , seating and chairs available to sit with great live music in the background . Tons of parking. What more can you aak for on a beautiful sunday...

This is the best and largest farmers market i have ever been in the North Island! Plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, artisan breads, sweet treats, meats, cheese, honey, smoke meats, sauces and condiments,eggs, cooked food like pizza, sandwich, dosa, coffee and many more!! The price was very reasonable and affordable given the quality of fresh produce we received. We have tried products of the Chef's garden @Epicurean, Good Chow NZ condiments, Telegraph Hill Olive oil, Monsieur Macaron, The Bacon Sandwich Co, Yeast Coast Baking, Haralds Bread World and some natural lamb and mint sausages from The Organic Farm Butchery. All of the products are of very high quality with discounted price only found in the market. Will be...