Sharing the FF love with Jacquie Ford

What is it that you love about Frenchs Forest Markets?

There is a real sense of community at the markets which is what I love most about it.  Yes, the fresh produce is also a massive drawcard, but there is something really lovely about knowing that you're giving back directly to the growers and farmers, and not the middle man

Do you have a particular favourite trader? If so, why?

I've only been coming to the markets for a few months now but yes, there are a few favourites.  Arlington's do the most to die for yoghurts and dips, so I can't pass them without putting something in to my shopping basket.  

I also love the meat at the Free Range Butchers.  They always have some great deals on and my cooking has never tasted better thanks to the quality of their meats.

You say you are "obsessed" (which we LOVE by the way) with Frenchs Forest Markets.  When and how did this most delightful obsession start?

I've been trying to overcome a chronic illness which is essentially the aftermath of glandular fever, so home cooking with fresh produce, quality meats, fruits & vegetables has become a real priority for me.  Finding good prices for quality produce is really hard, but I have discovered one weekly bulk shop at the markets has actually seen me putting more food onto our plates each meal, and I've ended up saving money....also nothing goes to waste!

It's really lovely being able to walk around the markets, seeing all of the seasonal produce and being able to chat to the growers/farmers directly about what their picks are and what specials they have on.  I can then get really creative with my meals each week.

It's a great atmosphere, surprisingly really easy to find parking, and if you get in early you get the pick of the best stuff.  It sure as hell beats the zombie-land of trolleys and sad detached faces scouring the aisles at the supermarket each weekend.

Has "Jacquie's Frenchs Forest Market Obsession" now infiltrated the world of your friends & family where it has become now their Sunday ritual?

Now that I am in my 30's, I'm discovering that less and less of my friends are nursing hangovers on Sunday mornings....and more and more of them are keen to get to the markets.

Some discovered the markets well before me, but I've started up a car-pool with a couple of other mates.  Each Sunday we take turns picking each other up and then catch up over brekkie.

If you could sum up in 5 words why people should come and spend their Sundays at Frenchs Forest Markets, what would they be?

Eat happy, support the growers

**********

HUGE thanks to Jacquie for sharing her love, obsession & photos with us and we reckon if you don't already, best make it your weekly Sunday obsession too!

And now a word from our fans

5 Questions with..........Moo & More

How Long have you been at Frenchs Forest Market?

Moo & More have been at Frenchs Forest Market since October 2008

We know at times you have had to put up a "gate" made from crates so you can actually finish setting up before trading, but what is the record number of milk/cheese/yoghurt you have sold in one day?

Being predominantly a Jersey dairy stall winter is our busiest time, with the exception of Easter & Christmas market time.  Our record for milk sales is 1076 litres at a single market (and that was just MILK!).

Best cheese day we sold 214 pieces

Best day for our exceptional tomatoes was a quarter of a tonne!

Before becoming a Moo'er, what was your previous life & why the change?

Both of us were in the Hospitality Industry for around 20 years and were/are dedicated foodies who genuinely enjoyed the interaction with people we met along the way. 

But Tony is from the Land and was wanting to get back to it somehow, and as we were used to working long hours in hospitality, weekend market life was not an issue.

We wanted the independence of working for ourselves and promoting the things we believed in. 

The Moo part of Moo & More was born out of our close friendship and association with Malcolm Rose, a Jersey dairy farmer from Wooloomin near Tamworth.

Doing markets allowed us to bring Malcom's premium quality milk to Sydneysiders.  Something that he simply could not achieve otherwise.

We love our market life and wouldn't change it for anything, inspite (or even despite) the early mornings & intense workload to ensure all our produce is the freshest you can buy.

What is the best aspect of market life for the Moo'ers?

Without a doubt, the best aspect of market life are our customers.  Their loyalty and commitment to us has been humbling.  We love that they share their high's and low's with us, as we do with them.

We love the wonderful sense of community that exists between all of us - customers and stallholders.

We especially love the children that we have known since before they were born, who now walk in to our stall and say "Hi Libby!  Hi Tony!"

We know that you are strong supporters of "buy local" and helping to keep those on the Land keep on keeping on.  What more can we (as a community) do to keep this mantra alive and educate others?

We should all maintain integrity in what we do.  We should help our customers to understand their choices.  We should be generous with our knowledge and of our time.

**********************

We would like to thank Libby & Tony for sharing their story with us and you can find them every Sunday at Frenchs Forest Markets. Word to the wise: get in early cause these guys sell out in a blink of an eye!