Our featured stall holders for February are Anthony and Kerry Paltram from Barefoot Garlic. The couple grows wonderful organic garlic and are currently in the process of becoming a certified organic producer.

Anthony and Kerry had always used a lot of garlic in their cooking and after a trip to the supermarket in 2018, Anthony decided it was time to get some "real stuff". They decided what better way to get this was to grow their own. It took them a couple of years and a great deal of time and research.

Anthony sourced the seed and machinery from a certified organic grower in the Kempsey area who was retiring. The first step was to prepare their paddocks by removing several tons of rocks from their fields before the soil was able to be ploughed. It was an enormous amount of work but in April 2019, they planted their first crop. They watched and waited and quickly saw the first shoots coming up. The paddocks went from rocky and weedy to green and lush with garlic.

With the dreadful drought they emptied their dams to keep their crop growing and eventually had to cart water from a friend's dam otherwise they would have lost their entire crop

In November 2019 they harvested the first crop which turned out to be a wonderful, abundant crop. Kerry started selling the garlic at Wingham Farmers' market in November 2019. The cloves of garlic are large, firm and delicious. In February after more work and experimentation in the kitchen their first crop of that new delicious black garlic was also ready. You can meet Kerry at farmer's market on Saturday and try this amazing garlic.

The market is the ideal place to purchase seasonal food that is grown ethically and without chemicals, food that you are buying straight from the farmer and food that is fresh and wholesome.

You will find a variety of different stalls featuring organic fruit and vegetables, an excellent variety of cuts of pork from old breed, pasture raised pigs from Wherrol Flat and organic beef from Moorland. There are free range eggs, honey, fermented foods, sauces, jams, pickles and chutneys and locally grown seedlings. There are also stalls selling beautiful hand made goods everything from garden benches and jewellery boxes to earrings and toys for children.

Oh and don't forget the wine and the beer! There is a great selection of wines from our award winning, local winegrower, Old Inn Wines and a range of wonderful, different beers from The Coastal Brewing Company in Forster.

Shop, have breakfast and sit and chat while listening to the wonderful music by The Choir Girls.

The market is dog friendly; there is plenty of parking and no entry fee. We do ask that you work on being environmentally friendly and bring your own re-usable bags.

Wingham Farmers' Market is run by volunteers. It is a non profit, community event helping support our local producers while ensuring you get the best products.

If you have excess product but insufficient to have your own stall take it to the community stall where it can be sold on your behalf with a 10 per cent charge. Fees for stalls are $25. More information on the Wingham Farmers' Market Facebook page.