As a child, I remember Sydney Markets as a big, bustling, fast-paced and thriving metropolis that required your total alertness and awareness at 1am. My childhood experiences with Sydney Markets were primarily in the Growers D Shed where the cafe made the most magnificent beef burgers with fresh lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, all served with a kind and warm smile at 3am because I was starving by then. Mmm delicious! The roar of the stand holders certainly made me think, “What’s going on over there?” The ‘Tea Lady’, as I referred to, would push her trolley along, ringing the bell in case the aroma of fresh produce overpowered the waft of coffee. Obviously, there was the exchange of produce for cash stuffed into brown leather aprons, the fast foot traffic and the occasional bicycle from different directions, as well as forklifts that whizzed past. How about that to get you going as a youngster?
Sydney Markets Austin St entry
Nowadays, I love going to my greengrocer early, before everyone else, to stock up on the latest and greatest freshest produce. On arrival, I see newly stocked shelves and brightly lit refrigerators bursting with colourful fresh produce. Why? They’ve been going since 2am, that’s why.
Max Filipe, Fruit Ezy
Before the arrival of produce at the Markets or the greengrocer, there’s a whole range of activities that take place, starting with seed breeders who carefully select the best characteristics and attributes for that chosen vegetable or fruit. #DYK that some of the vegetable breeding programs extend over 20 years and breeding programs sometimes transition from one person’s career to the next? There are thousands of varieties for each type of vegetable out there. Some make it and many don’t.
Rijk Zwaan Australia Lettuce Field Trial
Once the varieties are made available, growers invest significant time and energy, through observations and trials, to select the right variety for the right time slot to grow in the right location so that they can harvest produce fit for purpose that will travel well to its final destination. Sometimes this produce makes its way to Sydney Markets.
Choosing the right variety
Today, Sydney Markets spans 43 hectares, comprising of more than 700 businesses selling fresh produce and flowers from over 20,000 growers, feeding approximately seven million people every day! How good is that?
Each stand holder generally displays produce to prospective buyers. Once sold the produce is distributed, swiftly aided by about 750 forklifts on site. It’s worth a visit but if you’re not game to go alone, join a tour. When visiting, be sure to wear a safety vest and walk with alertness and enthusiasm in the designated areas.
Sydney Markets “A” Shed
In addition to the activity on the market floor, Sydney Markets generate a Fresh Fruit, Vegetable, and Flower Report weekly that provides information on what’s in season, best buys, estimated price guides, recipe ideas, and they’re also active on social media.
So the question then remains... once the produce arrives at the Markets, how does a greengrocer bring it all together and simplify it for us consumers? How does a greengrocer know where to go within Sydney Markets, what types of vegetables and fruit to buy, who to buy from, how to differentiate what types have the potential to provide the best experience for their customers? With so much produce on the floor, how do you choose the ones that will make your customers want to return over and over again for more?
What I love most about shopping at my local greengrocer, that happens to be Richmond Fruit Market led by Con, Peter, and Rebecca, is that they know all this ‘stuff’. When I’m in Chatswood or Miranda, I go and see Max from Fruit Ezy who also offers a convenient delivery service. They do all this pre-selecting business for me. Fantastic!
Yes, all for me! OK… they do it for you too.
Rebecca Papas with brother Peter Papas at Richmond Fruit Market
By going to my greengrocer, I am able to purchase a broad assortment of vegetables and fruit specially selected based on their unique attributes for whatever I decide to surprise my guests with. It gives me a head start in prepping, especially for dishes like my fresh apple and rhubarb crumble that is divine! The unfair advantage doesn’t stop there.
When I am invited to make salads for various groups, like this Strawberry and Lettuce salad I simply pick up the phone and place my order to reserve the special ingredients. How easy is that?
I take great delight in creating snacks and salads that are texturally interesting, visually captivating, and tasty. For me, it’s incredibly rewarding seeing everyone relishing every mouthful. A large group of friends or extended family coming for dinner? Same thing. Easy!
Photo: Lunch on Sunday
Having a reliable and trustworthy greengrocer on my doorstep is like having access to an amazing community service. I’m certainly grateful for the quality and range of fruit and vegetables that’s readily accessible. Next time you are buying your greens, consider the journey and uniqueness of fresh produce specially selected and nurtured, beautifully presented on a shelf, ready for purchase, to prepare, share and enjoy. Consider the effort of the people that have made it happen for you, so that you can reap the benefits of fresh produce that can have a positive multiplier effect on every aspect of your life and that of your loved ones.