Sharing some Riverside Market love with Michaela

How long have you been a devotee of Riverside Markets and how did you initially find us

I've been going to Riverside Markets since I first discovered them in February of this year (2013).  How I found them was when I noticed the banner on the side of the school fence at Riverside Girls High when I was walking one day and nowadays I see a flashing sign which is fun!  I'm a really big fan of these markets : the merchants are always really friendly and helpful and I've become really attached to the staff at Smith's Organics.

Is this a solo, browse, shop, enjoy the moment type of experience or do you like to share this little pocket of paradise with family and friends

I usually shop solo.  I enjoy the walk and shop every Saturday morning...it has become part of my ritual.

I have taken my partner a few times but he really doesn't like shopping!  I have also told friends they should shop there because it really is a lovely market.

Do you have a favourite stallie, and if so, who and why

My favourite stallie is most definitely Smiths Organic Market.  They are the most friendly stallies I have ever encountered!  They remember me each week too and we always have a lovely chat and catch up.

Their produce is certified organic which is really important to me, and it also tastes incredible!

Another great thing is their reward card system and the fact that they offer EFTPOS: it makes a HUGE difference especially as I always forget to bring cash!

I LOVE SMITH'S!!!

Is there an all time fave recipe which you cook using produce bought at market and can you share it with us

My favourite recipe is my vegan gluten free lasagna!  My friend featured it on her blog recently (she is a HUGE fan of Marrickville Markets btw!) so you can check it out "here"

photo courtesy of Stilettos & Green Juice

From your personal stance, why do you think markets like Riverside are an important part of the local community

I think Riverside Markets are such an important part of our community because I think it is SO important not only to support local businesses, but to nourish your body with locally grown and in season produce: and that is EXACTLY what you get at Riverside Markets!

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And we LOVE Michaela for that!  She is but one of our little regular angels who is intent on spreading the good word about our pocket of paradise and we reckon if you haven't already, you should too!

5 questions with Jared

Both a Manager and an Free Range Egg stallie: great combo if ever there was!  Can you give us a brief rundown on how market day starts for you in your two roles

On a typical day at Riverside, I first pick up the eggs from Ingleside and arrive at market around 6:45am. 

After parking, I set up customer tables, chairs and gazebos, place bins in their designated area and check to see if anyone needs help setting up, and/or guide them to where their stall will be for the day and then set up the egg stall.

Set up done, I do a walk around until 8am (when market trading begins) ensuring that everyone is ok and there are no issues to deal with.  Once market starts, I sit at my stall and serve customers.

Throughout the day I get up, walk around, always keeping an eye on my stall to return and serve customers, don the manager's hat for some admin and at end of market, pack down, tidy up, secure everything, make sure that stall holders are ok and go home at end of market.

As a free range egg stallie , what has been the biggest turnover of eggs in one market day

The biggest turnover at market has been 5 boxes which I believe is 75 cartons!

What is one of the highlights you have as Market Manager

As a manager, the thing I enjoy most about the markets is the community feel. Everyone is up for a chat and is there to socialise and have a good time, as well as buying needs/wants.  The music also creates a great foundation for a happy and lively market.

From your viewpoint, what is it about a market like Riverside, that is important not just to the producers but to the local community

The thing about markets (like I said above) is that it is not only a place to do your shopping, but for most people a place to go and socialise, soak up the sun and listen to some good music.  All the while you are giving money direct to people who you know have earned it, rather than to a supermarket chain, and at the same time, you know you are buying a quality product.

How would you sum up Riverside Markets in 5 words

• Genuine
• Caring
• Community-driven
• Relaxing
• Quality

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And there you have it.......a manager and a stallie (who sells THE best free range eggs on the North Shore!).  

Reckon it's time people!  Get yourselves to market, buy up those eggs, get some quality produce and simply enjoy just "being".

Thanks to Jared for sharing a bit of his time and telling us what it's like to be a man who wears 2 caps!

When size doesn't matter

We figured it was time we did our own little focus on Riverside Markets.

Why is this a great place to shop on a Saturday?  

Well naturally it's got an incredible range of organic and farm fresh produce

it's the perfect place for the kids discuss next week's shopping plans while you stock up on those free range eggs

where else can you buy award winning Artisan Bread and Pepe Saya Butter

and grab some of those sensational flowers for the week

but above everything else having smiley happy people just a waiting to chat about their produce.....PRICELESS

While we might be hidden in a little pocket of paradise, and we know our markets are a really really REALLY well kept secret amongst locals, it's time that secret was out!

So be daring, be brave, but above all else bring your friends along to the markets known as Riverside!

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Here are our details for those who have yet to swing by:

Riverside Organic Food & Farmers Markets

Riverside Girls High School

Cnr Victoria & Huntleys Point Roads  Gladesville

Saturdays 8am - 1pm (rain hail or shine)

Stgram land shoutout

@smokeyrod69

@jamie

Jared

@muzoec

the doggy loves their music

Kirstie

@purpleurples

Kirstie loves our flowers!

Kirstie loves our flowers SO much we thought it would be nice to dedicate this little "shoutout" to her and her gorgeous photos!

Talking Artisan with Brasserie Bread

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.

Farmer's Markets obviously attract locals keen to source fresh local produce, they also attract large numbers of enthusiastic "foodies".  Both these groups of consumers are keen critics, and they're never shy about giving us direct feedback.

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.

Dom is without a doubt one of the most engaging people on the planet and with this magic touch is able to strike up a conversation which will ultimately end with a result that all stallies want: a sale.  How difficult from your point of view is it to be a stallie at a market as opposed to a retail outlet (eg: Brasserie Bread's Bakery location and on sellers at cafes)

We can only assume it's difficult because you can't control the weather, transporting the goods and keeping them in their optimum condition, as well as the limitations on how you can present the products (eg: not being able to heat the bread in an oven).

From the perspective of the Riversider's we can attest that Dom keeps it together like a pro.  Always the optimist, always remembering every person's name and preferences and always sold out by end of day so there is absolutely a magic touch about him!

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.

Rain, hail or shine our markets are on.  Rain, hail or shine Brasserie bread is at every market.  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

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

Honouring traditions of artisan baking

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With thanks to Brasserie Bread for sharing a little piece of their baking world with us and if you haven't already then you must.  Dom will share with you the delights of these amazing products every Saturday so make sure you DON'T be a stranger!

Dom rocking it on 2RRR

Spending some time with 2RRR and Liza Harvey

Can you give us a little bit of history about the origins of 2RRR

2RRR started broadcasting in 1984, but many volunteers and eager local community members have been working on getting the station on-air since 1976.

Since we first went to air, the station has developed a legacy as a niche broadcaster catering to countless scenes, subcultures, musical tastes, ethnic communities and social groups.

As with many community stations, 2RRR started as a response to a broad community frustration at the lack of grassroots communication foundations in the broader area.

2RRR plays a broad range of roles to different sub-communities within our community of interest.  To some we are place for new local music; to others we provide community information and services.

Currently 2RRR has 12 ethnic language programmes, assisting in providing information for new arrivals to the area as well as providing the opportunity for sub-communities to have their own voice.

As 2RRR is a community station you must rely on volunteers quite a bit of the time. For those who are yet to become familiar with the process, can you briefly outline how more folk can become involved

Anyone can get involved at 2RRR and there are so many areas within the station to learn from and be involved in!  One of the greatest assets of community radio is that we run nearly completely on the back of volunteers.  

There are some really amazing dedicated people in our community who are passionate about 2RRR.  As a station, we give back by providing a training ground for the community to learn new skills in a variety of different focus areas.

This includes programming, presenting, music directing, tech-assistance, marketing, promotions, administration and bunch of other areas and interests.

To get involved with 2RRR, you can get in touch with us via email (office@2rrr.org.au) and we will send you a Volunteer Application Form.

This helps us find out what you are interested in so that we can place you in an area where you are more likely to develop the skills that you want and need and are able to use outside the station environment.

We thoroughly enjoy it when you broadcast from Riverside Markets (even if it rains!).

Organic Food Markets OB @ Riverside June 2013

From lugging in to lugging out, setting to going on air: how long does this process usually take and what are some the logistics involved.

Outside Broadcasts (OB's) are a really great way for 2RRR to get involved in the community.  With current technology, this process is a whole lot easier than it used to be!

We use a software programme that allows us to send the signal back to the station over the internet for it to then go on air.

The trickiest bit of the whole process is the lugging in and out of heavy equipment like our PA system, mixing desk and metres and metres of cables.

Our OB team usually takes about half an hour to set up the equipment and then take another half hour to sending test signals back to the station's studio to make sure everything is working OK and is ready to go to air.

There's something very satisfying about getting all right!

What does "community" mean to you as the individual and as 2RRR

"Community" is a very broad term and at 2RRR we try to explore every element of the word.  

As an individual "community" embodies the world around you that you actively participate in.  The people you hang out with, the street that you live on, the cafe's you go to: these are all the elements that make up your community.

If you draw a mind map you'll most likely find that you are part of more than one community, that each part of your life involves a complex spider's web of small intra-communities.

This is the approach that 2RRR takes when defining our own community.  There are so many sub and intra-communities within our broadcasting area and 2RRR tries to touch on and be relevant to most of these where can and are able.

If you could sum up life at 2RRR in 5 words what would they be

Local collective voice & sound (good question!)

For those who missed you can listen here Riverside Markets 2RRR Podcast and while you're listening why not jump on to their Facebook page "here".  Even better why not check out their website page here and become a volunteer!

5 Questions with Nick's Smoothies

Smoothies are now the "rage".  When did you first taste one

We sell natural skin care using traditional ingredients from Japan and Asia, so we wanted to sell healthy smoothies with a bit of "Japanese" flavour.

Because we had not tasted a smoothie with the Japanese twist, we researched recipes, tested many many MANY times and from that created our own!

What led you to creating them and selling them within a "market" environment

We believe in "Health and Beauty, Inside and Out" our smoothies are based on soymilk, A2 milk (ie. pure milk) with banana and pure honey.

You can choose from 3 flavours: organic green tea, organic azuki beans and mixed berries.

It is incredibly important to eat healthy foods so as to maintain a healthy body and beautiful skin!

What are some of the health benefits and why should we be drinking these smoothies more often

There are pros and cons in all soy based products.  If we have "pure" soy based products (such as tofu and soy milk) without any additives and used in moderation it is incredibly beneficial to your health.

Slows aging, assists in alleviating symptoms of menopause, helps the body to burn fat, balances the stomach acids etc.

Azuki benas are an excellent source of soluble fibre (which helps keeps our cholesterol levels at a healthy level), contain folates, potassium and magnesium which are all contributors to maintaining a healthy heart.

Green tea powder (macha) is a powerful antioxidant.  it helps boost metabolism an burn calories, detoxifies the body effectively and helpt to naturally lower & balance cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

For the winter months we don't put any ice in it so it's ready to drink EVERY WEEKEND AT MARKET!!

How important is the "organic" way of life for you

We adopted the natural organic way of life 5 to 6 years ago and since that time we have never caught a cold or been sick.

Recently we were walking down the aisles of a supermarket to see if there was anything interesting to buy...sadly for them (the supermarket) there wasn't much choice.  Fortunately for us at market there is!

For anyone who has yet to try them, what 5 words would you use to encourage/dare them to give it a go

Suprisingly yummy but healthy Smoothies!

For those of you who may have missed the live broadcast from 2RRR last weekend, Ash gave the smoothie a go and from what we could hear over the airwaves he actually quite liked it!

5 questions with Okoii

Can you give us a little bit of background as to the beginnings of Okoii and where it stands today

As a Japanese living in Australia, it was my dream to offer genuine skin care products using traditional natural ingredients mainly from Japan & Asia.

I am familiar with Japanese traditional natural ingredients such as green tea, rice bran, azuki beans, camelia oil etc.  They have been used for many centuries in Japan and have nurtured the beauty of Japanese womens skin.

This means the use of these ingredients are safe and has been proven by their use for a very long time.

I developed original recipes by blending the natural ingredients traditionally used in Japan & Asia into the natural ingredients available in Australia.

I also believe the freshest natural skin care products and are most effective and safest for our skin, which I learned from making the products myself and using them while they were fresh.

Okoii's products are made of natural or natural-derived ingredients only.  Okoii is accredited as Australian Certified Toxic-Free by Safe Cosmetics Australia.

How did you initially hear about Riverside Markets and what made you decide (most welcomingly we must add!) to join us?

We knew about it after OFM suggested that it was a nice cosy market.

What has been some of the highlights you have hd since being part of the Riverside Market Community?

It's great to have repeat customers for both skin care and healthy smoothies!

Feedback from customers is that they find your product incredibly soothing and that there something to suit every skin type/condition.  How long does the process take and are there any future additions we can expect Okoii's already amazing line

Our most popular products are Luxury Rice Bran Creamy Soap, Pure Organic Camelia Oil, Natural Hand Cream and Natural Lip Balm.  We will be adding more products such as body moisturiser, face toner and cream a little further down the line.

If you could describe in 5 words why Riverside Market is a fantastic place to get your "weekly organic fix" what would they be

Very interactive friendly place to visit!

this is a "sample" of Okoii's own weekly spoils from Riverside Market!

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Thank you to Okoii for sharing some of their story and fantastic "organic purchases" from Riverside Markets.