Food

how to buy local

8 ways to shop the freshest seasonal produce on the Coal Coast

 

  

8 ways to shop the freshest seasonal produce on the Coal Coast

Local food, paddock to plate, farm to table… we’ve heard the buzzwords – and now we know we should all shop local. Spending your cash with nearby producers helps drive our economy and benefits our farms and small businesses. In return, you’ll get the freshest seasonal produce around, with minimal impact on the environment. The question for many… “Where do I start?” Check out our guide of eight great ways to shop local on the Coal Coast. 

1. Kiama Farmers’ Market
Every Wednesday afternoon, a mob of loyal punters are champing at the bit for the bell to ring at Kiama’s Coronation Park. The best place on the coast to get your weekly grocery shop done, the market is host to dozens of local growers and makers selling everything from meat and gelato to cheese, eggs, honey and organic fruit and veg. Growers harvest in the morning for the afternoon’s market, ensuring goods are sold with maximum freshness and flavour. Get to know the farmers and grab their tips on how to get the most out of your produce. Don’t forget to bring your green bags as Kiama Farmer’s Market is plastic bag-free. 
Coronation Park, Kiama. Wednesdays, 3-6pm in summer, 2-5pm in winter.

2. Green Connect
Unique to the Illawarra, Green Connect is a social enterprise and fair food farm. Tucked away in a previously unused piece of land behind Warrawong High School, Green Connect uses permaculture principles to provide Illawarra families fresh, chemical-free produce via a weekly vegie box system. With an ever-changing selection, the offering varies with the seasons and comes with stories and guides on how to best use what’s in the box. A not-for-profit organisation, Green Connect’s farm staff is made up of refugees and disadvantaged youths, giving employment opportunities to those in need. 
Green Connect – Warrawong, www.green-connect.com.au

3. Flame Tree Co-op
An institution in the Thirroul community – the Co-op is a volunteer run, not-for-profit local food store with a huge selection of organic produce and bulk foods as well as a range of local breads, drinks, preserves and treats. With one of the largest local food selections on the coast, a visit to the Co-op is a great way to get your shopping done and to learn about the many Illawarra farmers who bring their produce to the store daily. 
355 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Thirroul, flametree.coop

4. Dapto Community Farm, Farmgate Market
Every Monday morning, Dapto Community Farm flings open its doors for a farmgate market where members sell their produce direct to the public. Dozens of individuals, groups and small businesses make up the Dapto collective, and all grow a unique range of chemical-free and organic goods, making the produce on offer as varied as you’ll find on the coast. Happy customers can be sure they’re buying local with a view from the market out onto the farm’s abundant growing beds.
29 Darkes Road, Dapto. Mondays 9:30 – 1:30.

5. Earth walker & Co. General Store
A new addition to the Illawarra food scene, this Coledale general store puts local at the centre of everything it does. With a fantastic cafe that showcases the best of Coal Coast produce on its menu, Earth Walker prides itself on the relationships it’s built with local suppliers. After lunch, browse the store for fresh produce, and an endless selection of local dry goods, dairy, preserves, drinks and snacks. 
749 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Coledale.  

6. Popes Produce
A true backyard market garden, Sarah Anderson has turned her Woonona patch into a produce paradise. All chemical-free, Popes’ “weekly greens” is a box of whatever is abundant and in season. For just $20, boxes are picked up direct from the “farm” where you can have a chat with Sarah about what’s on offer while taking a stroll through the green-filled grounds. Learn more as Sarah also does garden consulting, workshops and events for anyone looking to enhance their growing skills. 
Popes Produce – Woonona, www.popesproduce.com

7. Your local IGA or green grocer
A key trick to buying local is just to have a chat. Many independent supermarkets and grocers choose to stock local and the best way to find it is to simply ask. They’ll give you all the info you need on what’s in season and keep you updated on what’s on the way. Some great spots supporting local on the Coal Coast are Thirroul IGA, Meadow St Grocer in Tarrawanna, Leisure Coast Fruit and Deli in Fairy Meadow and Mitchell’s Fruit in Wollongong and Warilla. 

8. Social media
The Illawarra is home to not only some great farms, but also a multitude of locals producing everything from bread to beer, coffee and cider to pasta, pastries and preserves. Our food community is strong, so use social media to follow your favourite local producers and keep in touch with what they’re up to. Learning about where your food comes from is what shopping local is all about! Check out the fantastic baked offerings from The Bread Circle in Austinmer, handmade cheeses from The Schoolhouse in Gerringong, perfectly roasted beans from Delano Specialty Coffee in North Wollongong, or Jo’s delicious Darkes Cider, pressed fresh from her Glenbernie Orchard apples.

 

 

Upcoming Events

Advertise with us

More Food related articles:

The staccato sounds of “ciao” and “prego” break through the background noise at Millers’ Local Bakehouse. Italian isn’t a language you often hear around here, but given the recent addition to the menu, it’s not entirely surprising. Back in September, Bulli’s much-loved pastry paradise launched a gelato pop-up – and rumour has it, its creamy creations rival some of Sydney’s best.
Having circled the globe mastering their craft, two best mates are championing a new era of dining in Wollongong at Roy’s Restobar – one that doesn’t stop when the sun goes down.
Step into a local slice of Scandinavia via Dansk in Helensburgh. A bar where the flavours are just like the owners, a blend of Danish and Australian, the mood is “hygee” and the warmth of giving back to a community they love.
As a renowned chef, TV host, author and Indigenous food ambassador, Mark Olive, aka “The Black Olive” has achieved international acclaim, including his restaurant at the iconic Sydney Opera House. And at home on Dharawal Country, Mark is giving native ingredient bush tucker the world-class treatment at Killalea.
Lamb Shanks_Dr Verenas Kitchen
The ultimate weekend roast, with melt-in-your-mouth lamb simmered in a gut-healing broth infused with clove, cinnamon and cardamom, this roast will be a favourite feast for family and friends alike.
Three men stand outside a restaurant named "Ciro's," wearing white t-shirts and blue aprons. They are smiling and laughing, with one man on the left holding a pen in his shirt and the man on the right with a checkered cloth tucked into his apron. The restaurant's name is displayed in large letters above them.
For Joel Mucci, Marko Bozic, Liam Forsythe, and Michael Zubrecky opening their woodfired pizzeria, Ciro’s, in Thirroul, culminates in a sense of satisfaction as warm as the welcome received from locals.
A man wearing a white shirt and an apron, smiling and standing in front of shelves filled with bread in a bakery. There are flowers in the foreground.
Find out why the slow food movement is good for us and the local community
Jam-packed full of goodness, buckwheat granola is delicious and nutritious, and simple to make in advance - breakfast on the go has never been easier!
Meet Sarah from Retro Roast, your local coffee hub in Mount Kembla, where quirky meets community, and every brew is crafted to perfection with the Gusto blend from Seven Miles Coffee Roasters.
The Iron Yampi’s meteoric rise in popularity as the latest go-to restaurant in Port Kembla’s burgeoning foodie-scene is a reflection of the talent of two of Wollongong’s most loved restaurateurs. With such a keen insight into the local palate, it’s no wonder The Iron Yampi is bringing national acclaim our way.

Good music, great company, and your favourite glass of wine - see you at Pickled Poet in Thirroul

Cakes by Rach are serving up community favourites and quality brews in the heart of Port Kembla and Wollongong.

The recent launch of Shellharbour’s waterfront cafe, Darley Street Local, marks the third foodie-loving venue which owners Brad and Renee Quintal have launched following the success of dynamic modern-Australian cafe, The Happy Fox, and the Italian and Mediterranean inspired Perch Bar.

Eat the heat this summer with these 'berry' simple and nutritious snacks that kids will love making and eating.

If you’re in Fairy Meadow at Christmas time, it is impossible to miss the long line queuing outside Harley & Johns Seafood. An Illawarra institution for over 20 years, owner Grant Logue credits their focus on sustainability, quality, and community for its popularity.

We chat to Christina Paterno, co-owner of Little Betty’s, about going from Kiama to the world and back again – and bringing the best of the big city home to the coast.

Gringa Taco Bar has quickly become a favourite among Tarrawanna locals, offering a unique twist on a popular Mexican dish, the much-loved taco. With a focus on community and sustainability, Gringa is worthy of the hype.

Families at Towradgi Public School have come together to fundraise in a way that embraces the cultural diversity of the school – a community cookbook

Let’s Be Friends

We’d love to send you occassional news and updates of happenings along the Coal Coast to your inbox!

Let’s be friends

We’d love to send updates of happenings along our Coal Coast to your inbox!

Name(Required)
Email(Required)
Privacy(Required)