Award Winners celebrate the real flavors of NZ

PRESS RELEASE JULY 2013

Taste Farmers' Markets Award Winners celebrate the real flavors of NZ

This growing popularity of Farmers’ Markets is something being seen worldwide and for a host of reasons. The awareness of what’s in our food and growing demand for regional, unadulterated produce, climate concerns and the investment into local communities and resources, sustainable agriculture and community hubs are just a few of the influences causing Farmers’ Markets to flourish in New Zealand.

Farmers’ Markets New Zealand (FMNZ) celebrated the real heroes and champions of regional food production at the 2013 Taste Farmers Markets Awards. Localvore Chef Judge Jonny Schwass said “The produce we tasted was fresh, crisp, alive and nourishing. The vegetables, preserves, meats and cheeses are the real produce of Aotearoa” As a Chef and now father, his cooking is about the beauty of well-chosen ingredients and simply prepared food. For Jonny food is the only thing that enlightens all senses. He believes food elevates our mood. It makes us better people. Food is more than energy, food is life.

Winners of Categories for Taste Farmers’ Markets NZ 2013 Awards

Farmers’ Market of the Year Award 2013 as voted by Consumers

Feilding Farmers Market - The second year in a row that this iconic Market held in the middle of town has united its localvores to outvote all other regions and you can taste the real flavor of Feilding by simply visiting their Farmers Market on a Friday Morning

Creamiest Food producer from the Dairy

Neudorf Dairy – Nelson Farmers Market - A outstanding selection of some of the best Dairy products in NZ, would put any European cheese's to the test

Tastiest Food producer form the Paddock

Braemar Orchard Avocados – Gisborne Farmers Market - The butterist, smoothest and tastiest Avocados where you can taste the Gisborne Sunshine in them. If I could only eat one more Avocado in the world then it would be from Lance Hibbert at Braemar Orchard in Gisborne.

Freshest Food producer from the Water

Stewart Island Smoked Salmon Ltd - Outstanding Quality Salmon that is simply cured and smoked over Manuka, this is just as good as what grand dad used to do, but better. You can taste the freshness of the region not only in the salmon but also in the smiles on the people who are involved in value adding to it

Best Food producer from the Kitchen Bench

Two Feijoas Gourmet Kitchen – Hobsonville Farmers Market - This is NZ in a jar, people will be running to the breakfast table to taste this, Feijoas have never had it so good ! Excellent packaging and matched with a balanced sweet and sour of ingredients that make them the envy of grandmas breakfast table setting.

Tastiest Food producer from the Butchery

Basecamp – Tauranga - NZ Butchery at its finest, these Salamis are simply a reflection of the Kaimai Region and New Zealand, great tasting wild meats handled with care to produce the world’s best Salamis and Smallgoods. Wild Venison and Manuka Wood Smoke mixed with respect and a dash of Kaimai make the Salami taste so good

Regional Farmers’ Market of New Zealand 2013

Awarded to the region of NZ who celebrates Farmers Markets and makes a real difference

LOWER NORTH ISLAND - Whanganui Farmers Market

Farmers Markets NZ Chairperson Chris Fortune says that "the 2013 Taste Farmers Markets Awards are a celebration of what we can find in regional New Zealand and our winners and highly commended are the cream of the crop, we need to remember that when we are sitting at our dinner tables we should be talking, communicating, networking, socialising, arguing and laughing with each other, but most of all support our local food producers by using locally made, seasonal produce that highlights the real taste of New Zealand”

Highly Commended from the Paddock

Tauranga Farmers Market - Paul's Tomatoes

Ohoka, Lyttelton, Mt Pleasant, Christchurch, Amberley, Oxford and Opawa Farmers Market – Grown

Tauranga Farmers Market - Kaimai Lettuce

Tauranga Farmers Market - Kandu organics

Highly Commended from the Kitchen Bench

Christchurch Farmers Market and Opawa Farmers Market - Bellbird Baked Goods

Gisborne Farmers Market - Hill Road Orchard

Grey Lynn Farmers’ Market - Te Atatu Toasted Ltd

Hobsonville Farmers Market - Some Like It Hot

Hobsonville and Grey Lynn Farmers Market - Relish The Thought

Cromwell Farmers Market - Gertz Larder & Catering

Hamilton Farmers Market - Sweetree Honey

Highly Commended from the Butchery

Christchurch Farmers Market - Westwood Free Range Chicken

Gisborne Farmers Market - The Gisborne Deli

Parnell and Hobsonville Farmers Market - Farm Gate Produce

Highly Commended from the Dairy

Wanganui Farmers Market - Lonely Goat Cheese

Gisborne Farmers Market - Waimata Cheese

Innovation from the Kitchen Bench

Lyttelton Farmers Market - Roots

ends

© Scoop Media