Northey Street City Farm

Northey Street Organic Markets: An Insider's Guide

Why You Should Visit

• A Comprehensive Organic Shopping Experience: You'll find a remarkable array of organic products. The markets boast an impressive selection, including meat, fruit and vegetables, baked goods, condiments, oils, nuts, flours, and dairy. It's essentially a one-stop shop for your weekly groceries, with 95% of the products being organic.
• Early Bird Gets the Goods: Get there early (6:30 - 7:30 am) to ensure you get the widest selection. Some stalls can run out of their goods as early as 10 am.
• Vibrant and Relaxing Atmosphere: The market offers a chilled ambiance, perfect for relieving stress. The location is known for its great vibe and beautiful surroundings. Shoppers can expect a laid-back and welcoming atmosphere.
• Delicious Food and Coffee Options: Stay for breakfast! Numerous vendors serve wholesome food and coffee. You'll find plenty of coffee places and food choices to enjoy while you're there.
• Family-Friendly and Dog-Friendly: The markets are great for families. The adjacent community farm offers free activities to keep kids entertained. You can also bring your dogs.
• Community Farm Next Door: The market is located next to a community farm. This surprisingly large and diverse space encourages exploration and learning. It's an interesting mix of learning, play, and growing areas.
• Excellent Parking: Thanks to the council, there's now an enormous grassed area opposite the markets, providing ample parking.
• Variety of Products: You will find a variety of stalls including bread, butcher, seafood, and other products. They also offer clothes and spring water. There are also plenty of nursery items like herbs and plants.
• Free Playgroup: Bob runs a free playgroup for children, where they can interact with the elements and learn about music, art, and nature. The playgroup includes toys, swings, a slide, sandpits, cubby houses, and musical instruments.
• Consistent Quality: The markets pride themselves on the quality of their organic products. The sellers ensure that all products offered are organic.

Why You Might Consider Alternatives

• Early Closing Time: Be aware that the market closes relatively early, with many vendors packing up by 3 pm.
• Price Point: While the quality is high, be prepared for potentially higher prices. The produce is described as "not cheap."
• Competition (or Lack Thereof): There isn't a lot of competition between stalls, meaning there are multiple stalls selling similar or the same items.
• Produce Quality Concerns: While the marketing emphasizes "organic," the quality of the fruit and vegetables, while OK, may not be the best.
• Weekend Crowds: The markets are popular. Later in the morning, parking can be a little difficult, and the venue can become crowded with families and pets, especially after 7:30 am.
• Not a Complete Shop: While it offers a wide variety of products, some experienced shoppers found it not a place you can really do a whole shop.