fourways garden pavillion green marketSaturday proved to be the perfect day for the launch of the Fourways Garden Pavilion Green Market in Johannesburg, as a week of torrential rain finally gave way to some sunshine.

After struggling to find parking in the busy Leaping Frog Centre, I was greeted by a wonderful, bustling little produce market in the nursery, with stalls selling all sorts of delicious goodies. This was the first market of its kind that I’ve been to in Jo’burg, and I found it to be an incredibly relaxing little slice of all things natural in the middle of the busy city.

The organisers wanted to keep things simple for the launch, but the variety of things on sale was very effective. There was a stall selling a wide variety of organic veggies grown on a nearby farm in Fourways, and a baked goods stall providing a host of delicious breads, croissants, brownies and other treats, which I’m told can be ordered in wheat- and gluten-free varieties.

‘Willowbridge Slow Market’
Slow Food ~ Slow Wine ~ Slow Design
Willowbridge Lifestyle Center Durbanville from 09h00 – 15h00
We are indoors and open every Saturday.
Visit www.slowmarket.co.za for more info.

The down turn in the economy is making us all second-guess what we buy. In the US, a market research company revealed recently that organic food sales rose only 4 percent in the four week period ending October 4th, compared to 20 percent a year in recent years. What's keeping shoppers from purchasing organic food? Cost. No question.

Just why is organic food usually more expensive?

First, organic food is more expensive to produce. Without cheap fertilizers and pesticides, farmers have to do a lot more manual labour, and people are much more expensive than petrochemicals. Additionally, organic farming operations aren't big enough to achieve economies of scale.

Secondly, demand has outstripped supply -- there simply are not enough people growing and producing organic ingredients. And when demand is greater than supply, prices are higher.

But don’t give up on the health of your family. You do not need to give up on organic - just curtail your organic spending and focus on the area where you get the biggest return for your money...

pic: johannesburglive.co.zaWe all want to avoid the manic mall mayhem. Scurrying around under strobe lighting with the rest of the pre-Christmas flurry is hardly conducive to calm, and there are so many wonderful markets at which you can pick up home-made fare for your Christmas meal; goodies, crafts and gifts that are local and handmade, in an unhurried atmosphere. We've made it even easier, by selecting those at which you're sure to enjoy yourselves and find hidden treasures.

Markets we love

Top 10 markets in & around Cape Town
The two stalwarts of Cape Town have to be the Neighbourgoods Market and the Porter Estate Produce Market, both of which have a strong focus on responsible and local foods, and some crafts. The Neighbourgoods Market held a Christmas market last year, which they’re sure to repeat. New to the Cape Town scene is ...

If you haven’t already visited the new Stellenbosch fresh goods market then do so! We had a ball there on Saturday morning. Located on the Dorpstreet square in Bosman’s Crossing trading village - the historical entrance into Stellenbosch under the slopes of the Onderpappegaaiberg on the Plankenberg river – we were unintentionally highjacked by a strategically placed, and rather enormous sign which led us to a wine estate breakfast market en route, a minor detour that, had we had the time, was apparently worth the diversion. But I digress…

The fresh goods market is an authentic slow food market...

As would be expected for this time of year there are some great markets on the go, which makes it easier to avoid inhumane shopping malls and put your hard-earned rands to more effective use in the local economy.

Cape Town Talent Exchange Market Days
Actually if you join the Community Exchange System you can avoid spending hard earned Rands entirely! The Community Exchange System has it's own currency called Talents which you can use to buy or sell your own goods or services. There is always something interesting to be found at the CES markets and you'll no doubt meet some interesting people too. The whole idea behind the CES is that it is community based rather than debt based (where private bankers are made wealthier at everyone else's expense.)

At the last market I got to enjoy some awesome home-made lemonade and took away some delicious butternut chutney as well as adding to my vinyl collection. There were traders selling some great clothing and gifts and there was a self-published booklet of poems (printed on recycled paper) that I have to go back for.

There are two markets coming up this Sat, 8th Dec - one in Kalk Bay and one in Khayelitsha. And then there is another on Sat 15th Dec at the Novalis Ubuntu Centre in Wynberg.

Prince Albert Christmas Market
The weekly market in Prince Albert has a history that dates back to 1855 when the then Governor of the Cape, Sir George Grey, gave permission to hold a market in the town.

If you're lucky enough to be anywhere in the vicinity of Prince Albert on Saturday 15th then don't miss their Christmas Market. There will be organically grown fruit and vegetables, homemade jams, chutneys and preserves, and Christmas cakes and cookies. Also lots of handmade products and gifts.

Bryanston Organic Market

It's now Christmas Night Market season at that stalwart of organic markets,

The Constantia Country Living Market is on again this Saturday (tomorrow!) and so I get to adopt my alter ego, Organic Veggie Guy, once again. If you're in the market for some ultra-fresh (picked this afternoon), locally grown, organic produce then you know where to find me. If all goes according to plan I'll be selling sweet potatoes, spinach (swiss chard), spring onion, brinjals, green pepper, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes and if you arrive early you could even find a turnip or two! I should also have a few pamphlets from SafeAge on why organic food is a better idea than GMO's.

The Constantia Country Living Craft Market will be held between 9am and 2pm this Saturday (21 April) at the Cape Academy (Old Constantia School for Boys) in Firgrove Way, Tokai (off Spaanschemat River Road).

Saturday was my third outing as "the organic veggie guy" selling fresh produce at the new Constantia County Living Market at the Cape Academy in Tokai. It was a very slow day, measured in sales, but a fulfilling day nonetheless.

My Mon-Fri job is spent in front of a 17-inch computer screen, hammering out code to automate the testing of software for corporate clients - an activity far removed from the natural world. So how does an IT guy by week, become an organic veggie salesman by weekend and why?

I've been a GIY (grow it yourself) fanatic for a few seasons and also know a few people involved in the organic scene in Cape Town, so when friend and market organiser, Jen Kummer, needed a produce stand for the market I put her in touch with someone who could help. As it turned out he was committed to other markets and, at the last minute, I was offered the job!