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Hibiscus Matters editor, Adrienne Köhler, is exploring the local markets over the summer.
Summer is the perfect time for exploring local markets and the Hibiscus Coast is fortunate in having plenty nearby to check out on a weekend. Last Sunday, I headed up north to check out the Puhoi Village Market, which is held on the first of every month from 9am to 1pm.
During the summer, the market is held at the Pūhoi Community Orchard and Fields, opposite Puhoi Village. For early arrivals, parking is available close to the markets, but we easily found parking a short walk away at 10.30am.
The market offers a wide variety of local seasonal produce, baked goods, local honey, crafts, soaps, balms and oils, jewellery, and plants, as well as food trucks. My friend chose a yummy Puhoi pie for second breakfast while I devoured a raspberry and cream gluten-free doughnut and coffee. Then we browsed the stalls in the pleasant garden setting. I stocked up on fresh vegetables while my shopping companion bought some small hand-painted bird images for her mum. It was pleasing to see that stalls were genuine craft and local produce – not the proliferation of imported “Temu” stock that has come to plague many markets.
One stall we lingered at and chatted to the owner for a while was the City to Farm team who had interesting information about Rodney soils, transforming food scraps to compost, and biochar. They are running workshops over the next couple of months, and you can find out more at citytofarm.co.nz
After another circuit of the market, we headed over to Puhoi Pub for a cold drink and a bit of people watching, although for the more energetic you can hire canoes to explore the Puhoi River.
For foody fans, Food Truck Friday is coming up on February 13 at the Puhoi Pub from 4.30pm to 8.30pm, and the next village market will be Sunday March 1.
