With World Health Day coming up on 7 April, it is an ideal time to think about the food we eat and the vital role it plays in a healthy lifestyle.
Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh food helps guard against long-term or chronic diseases while at the same time making us feel good. The right foods can also help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke by improving cholesterol levels, aid in reducing blood pressure, help to manage body weight, and assist in controlling blood sugar.
GemLife resorts are located close to a host of farmers’ markets and suppliers, providing exceptional quality fresh fruit, vegetables, and other produce direct from local farms. We have listed some of the most popular markets below.
NORTHERN NSW | GOLD COAST QLD
Tweed Farmers Markets
The Tweed Farmers Markets are held on the first and third Saturday of the month at the Jack Evans Boat Harbour from 8am-12noon (NSW time). The markets offer fresh locally produced fruit and vegetables as well as music and a playground for the kids.
Helensvale Farmers Markets
Held at Helensvale State High School every Saturday from 6am-11am, the Helensvale Farmers Markets offer a variety of fresh foods and scrumptious treats with stalls ranging from produce grown by a local organic farmer to award-winning pies, traditional Chilean and Argentinean foods, calamari, baked goods, coffee and more.
Food and farmers’ markets – Palm Beach, Mudgeeraba and Bundall
Each Saturday from 6am-11.30am, the Food and Farmers’ Markets are held at Palm Beach-Currumbin High School and the Mudgeeraba Showgrounds. On Sundays, they are held at HOTA and each offers up to 80 stallholders selling an array of fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood, poultry, honey, pickles, jams, fresh flowers, and more.
SUNSHINE COAST QLD
Montville Growers and Makers Markets
The Montville Growers and Makers Market has been operating since July 2009 on the second Saturday morning of each month at the Village Hall. The market sells locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers and plants, homemade produce, fresh bread and cakes, organic foods, natural juices, and gardening products.
Yandina Country Markets
Established in 1990, the Yandina markets draw thousands of visitors each Saturday from 6amnoon. The market sells quality, locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables and other produce as well as a wide variety of books, bric-a-brac, and plants.
Maleny Sunday Market and Witta Markets
Held each Sunday at the RSL Hall from 8am- 2pm, the indoor Maleny Market offers a variety of fresh produce as well as an organic Fair-Trade Café, locally produced arts and crafts, antiques and collectables, books, jewellery, candles, soap, jams and pickles, hot food and more. In addition, just 10 minutes up the road are the Witta Markets with its wonderful array of locally grown seasonal fruit and vegetables and locally made products.
Brady’s Fruit
Close to GemLife Palmwoods is retailer Brady’s Fruit, a family-owned greengrocer in Palmwoods that sells retail or wholesale fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products and fresh flowers.
Eumundi Markets
Having operated for the past 41 years, the Eumundi Markets are among the most wellknown on the Sunshine Coast. The markets offer fresh farmer’s produce, arts and craft, handcrafted furniture, artworks, jewellery and fashion. The market is held every Wednesday, 8am to 1.30pm and every Saturday 7am to 2pm at 80 Memorial Drive, Eumundi.
TOOWOOMBA REGION, QLD
TOOWOOMBA REGION, QLDGemLife Highfields
Toowoomba Farmers Market
The Toowoomba Farmers Market is held from 7am each Saturday at TAFE Queensland Toowoomba campus in Lindsay Street. The market sells fresh fruit and vegetables and other locally produced foods such as meat as well as local handmade products.
MID NORTH COAST NSW
GemLife Rainbow Beach
The Foreshore Market
The Foreshore Market is held on the second Saturday of each month on the banks of the Hastings River in Park Street, Port Macquarie. The vibrant market offers a wide array of locally grown food and produce, gourmet foods, unique handmade arts and crafts, flowers, vintage clothing, handmade jewellery, and more.
MACEDON RANGES REGION, VICTORIA
GemLife Woodend
Woodend Farmers Market
The Woodend Farmers Market is held on the first Saturday of the month at the Community Centre grounds on the corner of High and Forest streets. The market features a wide selection of local and Victorian produce direct from the producer to you. It sells an array of goods including fresh vegetables and fruit, olive oils, beef, pork, freerange eggs, organic sourdough breads, honey, herbs, seedlings, livestock feeds, preserves, and more.