Locally produced food that is grown in sync with the seasons is fresher, and it doesn’t take as much energy to produce it and transport it to you.
Eating local and seasonal foods supports local farmers and the production of crops that are appropriate to our local environment. This alleviates the modern reliance on the long-distance transport and refrigeration of foods that are grown thousands of kilometres away. In addition, foods grown in sync with the seasons are more in tune with our intuitive nutritional needs: after all, who wants a cucumber sandwich in the middle of winter?
How to do it now!
Buy & eat local and seasonal food!
Farmers markets are a great place to buy locally produced food. Farmers markets are the best place to buy locally produced food. Growers’ markets offer a direct link between the producer and the consumer, providing a healthy cut-price alternative where the consumer can learn more about the products they are purchasing direct from the grower or a grower’s representative. A great directory is available from the Australian Farmers’ Markets Association.
Coffs Coast Growers Market is held every Thursday in the city centreharbour drive from 8.00am til around 3.30pm.
The Coffs Coast Growers’ Market provide the freshest in local and regional produce plus a growing range of organic produce. Regular items for sale include: fruit and vegetables, flowers, plants and herbs, olives, cakes, honey, nuts, flowers, oils, eggs, wood-fired breads, wild seafood and more recently, meats and gourmet sausages.
Council encourages the community to show support for local producers and come along to the City Square on Thursday between 8.00am and 3.30pm. Because the markets are very popular, it is recommended to come early to see the full range of products on offer.
If you are interested in having a stall at the Coffs Coast Growers Market please contact the Market Coordinator.
Bellingen Growers Market provides locals with fresh, “chemical free” produce without added transport costs. It supports local backyard and commercial growers and producers.
The Nambucca Valley has a number of markets offering local produce. These include the Valla Beach Community Market, Macksville Markets, Unkya Markets and Bowraville Producers Market. Visit the Nambucca Tourism events web page for more details.
Our region has a diverse range of foods in season throughout the year.
Foods in season throughout the year.
| Summer | Autumn | Winter | Spring |
| Apricots | Avocado (Fuerte) | Beetroots | Asparagus |
| Beans | Cabbage (& Brussels Sprouts) | Broccoli | Avocado (Hass) |
| Berries & Currants | Cauliflower | Cabbage (& Brussels Sprouts) | Beetroots |
| Celery | Celery | Cauliflowers | Berries & currants |
| Cherries | Chestnuts | Celery | Broccoli |
| Corn | Cumquats | Cumquats | Cabbage (& Brussels Sprouts) |
| Cucumber | Figs | Fennel | Corn |
| Eggplants | Ginger | Ginger | Cucumbers |
| Figs | Leeks | Jerusalem Artichokes | Fennel |
| Green pea | Melons | Lemons & Limes | Green, Snap & Snow pea, |
| Leeks | Olives | Olives | Leeks |
| Melon | Parsnips | Parsnips | Lemon & Lime |
| Pears | Pears | Rhubarb | Peppers & chillies |
| Peppers (& Chillies) | Quinces | Sweet Potatoes | Rhubarb |
| Tomatoes | Sweet Potatoes | Turnips & swedes | Zucchini & Squash |
| Zucchini & Squash | Tomatoes |
(Southern Australian emphasis)
Grow your own food. The best way to get local and seasonal is to use your own backyard! You can have a veggie garden all year round with seasonal vegetables. (See our ‘Grow your own Food‘ action).
Why this action is important?
Reconfiguring our eating habits so as to have the lightest impact on the environment is a simple way to address climate change (via reduced transport and industrial energy) and support local communities and farmers. You’ll also get an interesting and diverse diet all year round! In addition, organisations like the Australian Farmers’ Markets Association advocate for low-impact farming and produce diversity.
