Olive Tree Providores

What initially drew you in to the world that is now known as Olive Tree Providores

I decided my passion for food and healthy lifestyle could also be a business that supported local farmers.

Olive oil also has amazing health benefits and Australia produces some of the world's best, so Olive Oil Providores was born out of a love of local food and a boredom with the conventional corporate business principles.

Why markets?

Because they are the best place to meet our customers and build a relationship with them.  I also detest the major supermarket manipulation of local farmers and growers, so I was keen to support an alternate place for growers to sell and market their produce.

Obviously market shoppers attend for varying reasons including promoting the Buy Australian mantra.  What other ways do you think this message can be given either overtly or by other means

We should encourage our friends and family to shop from sustainable and environmentally sound sources.  Big corporate supermarkets are none of those.  We simply have to encourage everyone we (personally) know to shop locally for fresh healthy food and by doing that we automatically help farmers build and maintain a sustainable business.

The more we enthuse the principle, the more it will happen and the more we protect our environment.

Do you have any new additions on the horizon that we can look forward to

Yes, we are about to launch a whole new range which we are very excited about which should be ready by Christmas.  The new range takes the "shop local" to an  entirely new level......so stay tuned!!!!

What 5 words would you use to encourage conversion to not only organic but more importantly to buy Australian

Future proofing a sustainable future for all  (a little more than 5 words) plus it's a fantastic place to meet really friendly people!

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And on that note we thank Belinda, not only for having an amazing range of oils, soaps and dukka each week at market, but more importantly her determination to encourage everyone (and by that we mean everyone!) to shop and buy local 

muchos gracias amigas

@shazthebazza

jess

kevin

domcherryblossom

lilian

Jesse, Brasserie Bread and bit of a Marrickville twist

Brasserie Bread a firm favourite with all at Marrickvile Market.  With Jess at the helm and the award winning artisan bread this piece will contain some great photos, some important information from the Bakery and a dash of some Marrickville Market love.

Brasserie Bread has had an incredibly long association with Organic Food Markets.  Can you enlighten us as to how this "introduction" came to be

Brasserie Bread has been actively involved in farmer's markets in Sydney for the past 7 years.  It's a very important part of our wholesale business.

check out a blog Brasserie Bread did with Jesse "here"

Farmer's Market shoppers also share their experience with lots of other people, both good and bad!  This certainly keeps us on our toes and gives us invaluable insight for future product development.

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No matter the weather, being an old hand at market life Jesse turns up, always up beat, always set up and always sells out!  Testament to his ability to his selling skills in a product that he not only represents but that he believes in and is it any wonder?  

With an AMAZING range of breads 

and sweet treats

what's not to love?!

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Your bread is known for winning many medals at many Easter Shows which is a testament as to how good your products are. What would be your best seller at any given time

Definitely our organic sourdough which is made with organic unbleached flour, Murray River salt and our 18 year old sourdough starter.

Our Quinoa & Soya Sourdough also have a big following.  It's packed with nutritious soya beans and five seeds including quinoa.

Do Brasserie Bread deliver to market sites or does the stallie collect from the bakery (which would then mean an extra early start for the stallies for sure!)

They pick up from our Banksmeadow Bakery

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So peeps does this not elevate Jesse to an all time high on Sundays?  Up early to bakery, off to market, set up, get ready and then sell out!!!!

MASSIVE in anyone's books and trust us at Easter time it's complete madness!  Them hot cross buns sell out despite orders being made weeks before!

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How would you sum up the world of Brasserie Bread in 5 words

Honouring traditions of artisan baking

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And on that note we thank Brasserie Bread for taking some time to tell us a bit about their story and to Jesse for being a long timer and when you see him, make sure you let him know you read the blog

5 Questions with The Coconut Shop

You have ben part of the Organic Food Markets mob for quite a while now.  When did you become a "family" member and how did you find us initially

Nearly three years ago after a trip to Fiji that inspired us to start The Coconut Shop we attended our first market at Riverside as it was our local market.  Shortly after we started at Marrickville.

photo courtesy of Flexi Hair (whose blog you can check out "here")

Why coconuts?  And can you tell us a little bit about why they  and their derivatives are important to our overall wellbeing

Coconut is one of the traditional foods of the Pacific Islanders and is called "the tree of life".  They have known for generations the nutritional and medicinal benefits. Coconut oil can kill harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses and fungi

and is made up of mostly medium chain triglycerides which the body uses for energy.

Where do you source your products from and are the coconuts harvested in an eco-friendly manner

As our range is large and varied, we source the products from several countries.

Certified Organic, Fair Trade and Sustainably Grown is our preference.

What would be your biggest seller at market, or does it depend on season

Coconut oil is now receiving great media attention so is in high demand along with young drinking coconuts.

How would you describe marketeer life at Marrickville Markets

We love the vibe at Marrickville Markets.  It's like a festival every Sunday: the kids, the dogs, the happy customers and the friendship with our fellow marketeers.

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NEWSFLASH!!! Not only does The Coconut Shop sell all the goodies for our health, they also have some scrum sweet treats like..............

gluten free muffins

protein bars

even some cute as a button coconut men!

and for that we thank them from the bottom of our coconut-lovin-hearts!