The market was held in a side section of the stadium as there was a basketball tournament going in the regular venue. Even though the site was fine, and fortunately no rain for those vendors who set up stalls in the open, the wind was howling and it felt like standing in a wind tunnel all the time. Attendance was reasonable considering the weather and my QUAIL EGGS sold out for the third week in a row. I have decided to increase stock holding a bit from next week on wards. I have also started to sell our North East Valley fresh honey and the reception from the public was positive – I expect them all to be back for more after tasting the REAL FRESH HONEY.

The stalls that did really well were those that sold food. The young basketballers were famished and queued up for food and from what I saw the  bacon sandwiches looked great.

The stalls that caught my attention today were selling SPORTING BADGES and MANUKA SMOKED EGGS

SPORTING BADGES

Nick Horn and I were talking about the possibilities of hunting around Dunedin. Responsible harvesting  can protect the natural ecosystems of New ZealAnd, and  could augment the diet of people who practice sustainable living. The Department of Conservation provides information to hunters and fishermen as to where and when to hunt what. The hunters normally harvest ducks, venison, pigs and rabbits.  Nick celebrates the outdoor lifestyle of New Zealand  by selling interesting,  quality, English Pewter Hunting badges, key rings, earrings and brooches, sculptured and cast by craftsmen. They have fine detail and can be worn  pride .  The range represents the outdoor pursuits. Various Deer, Pig, Gun and Fishing badges are available to buy and collect.

I am trying to convince him to stock Quail, Chicken, Rabbit and Duck badges so we have something to wear when we show or market our pride birds and animals!

Nick’s contact details are : Tel – 0221903121  www.sportingbadges.co.nz  sportingbadges@slingshot.co.nz

MANUKA EGGS produce and sell the very delicious Manuka smoked eggs. Neville and Rachel normally sell their product to upmarket restaurants and Dunedinites are lucky to be able to buy theses delicacies on Sundays at the Stadium Markets. I would say that these eggs  on their own is enough reason to pay the Stadium Market in Dunedin a visit this Sunday

Their contact details are : Tel – 03 485 9660  www.nzmanukaeggs.co.nz

There are many more stalls to talk about, so see next Monday’s post and look up other stalls I have discussed  under the Seen and Done category of my blog – http://www.backyardfarmer.co.nz.

Kimberley Burton from Goodlife Gardens at the Stadium Markets selling plants for the garden and veggie patch

I had a good day at the markets, sold out of quail eggs fairly early  and also sold some quail breeding groups. As usual the stall holders had a chat and I received some information, and permission to blog, about some of them. I am blogging about the markets to bring the Stadium Market on Sunday to the attention of Dunedinites who need the diversity of this market, and the Sunday Market needs their support . There is a bit of everything available on Sundays and the atmosphere is totally different from other markets around. There are lots of good stalls as well as  great food, so it is possible to get a snack or more while observing the wares. Undercover stalls (all weather) and ample parking makes this a pleasurable Sunday excursion. Please note that I have no official connection to the market management, and am a mere stallholder supporting something worthwhile.

Growing food in the back yard or open urban spaces is something I feel strongly about. Creating awareness of the possibilities of having sustainable back yards is also a passion of Kimberley from Goodlife Gardens.  She is tertiary qualified ( Horticulture, Permaculture, Organics, and Sustainable Living at Otago Polytechnic) and says: ‘   Whilst I currently stock a lot of flowering annuals and perennials, the plan is to have for sale a variety of healthy seasonal fruit and vege plants grown in local climate and cared for as if they were to feed my own family.  Container planting and companion planting is something I am passionate about – it opens up opportunities for people to grow for themselves in areas not conducive to in-ground gardening (such as student flats and apartments) ‘. The stall is well stocked and neatly set up, and  a pleasure to browse through.

Another local, Evansdale Cheese has a regular stall at the Stadium Markets. The factory is located just outside Dunedin at Hawksbury, and their hand crafted cheeses are well known in Dunedin. I brought a bit blue cheese home, had some for lunch and it was delicious! Have a look at Evansdale Cheese and come over next Sunday to sample some of the best cheeses around.

An interesting stall that was worth visiting, but not local, who was just passing through, was Quality Knives. They stock the Swiss Victorinox range. I spent some time slavering over the big carving knives. I coveted the boning knife as well but since I own too many knives, purchased at such occasions, I managed to practice restraint for once.

There are many more stalls to go, looking forward to next Sunday!

We had a lovely sunny day in Dunedin and many residents went to the beach – I went myself and there were more people than I had ever seen on the beach.

Those that came to the market would have found fantastic apricots that actually had ripened on the tree also sweet black plums, cherries and peaches. All of these and vegetables were on offer for very reasonable prices and were locally grown and fresh.  Nothing that sat in supermarket warehouses for years!

Flagstaff Alpacas had a stand beside mine and had a well deserved late windfall. A few tourists arrived just before everyone started to pack up and bought virtually his entire stock of lovely knitwear, yarns, fleece, duvets and toys.  The stall owners farm the Alpacas, and produce all their unique articles in their own mill locally in Milton.  They also have farm stay facilities. In my opinion more enterprises of this type will really put Dunedin on the tourist map. Their website is worth a look : http://www.flagstaffalpacas.co.nz

More news next Monday