Fresh produce and organic food markets in Cape Town and the Winelands offer an increasingly popular way to spend a weekend morning.
Porter Estate Market, Tokai
Saturday morning. The air is peppermint-crisp, winter is over and the bare branches of a hundred trees scratch against the pale blue spring sky – the sun has not been up long. It’s 9 a.m, and the stall-holders at the Porter Estate Produce Market in Tokai, Cape Town, are just finishing setting out their delectable wares. The first visitors are straggling in, drawn by the aroma of “moer” coffee and frying bacon.
Weekend mornings in Cape Town have become all about the food markets. Porter Estate is one of the more recent additions, and has become incredibly popular since it opened in the latter half of 2007.
The choosing of the delightful setting, at the Chrysalis Academy near the Tokai Plantation, is a stroke of genius. This under-used space is green, sheltered on even the windiest of days and overlooked by rugged mountains.
The market is divided into three sections:
- A small but growing craft circle with the usual range of arty bits and bobs and things for kids to busy themselves with.
- The actual market area is well laid out. While there is the anticipated array of organic fresh produce, there are also deli-delectable edibles to tempt every palette. From cheeses to vinegars, chocolates to chillies – most stalls offer tasty titbits to whet the appetite and persuade browsers to become buyers.
- The final section of the Porter Estate Market is the most popular – where you get to buy yummy meals and enjoy them then and there - at wooden tables and chairs in the lovely natural setting. A sandbox under shade keeps toddlers amused, musicians play classical instruments and the entire scene is relaxed and happy.
Eat There
- Freshly squeezed juices – Made from organically grown fruits and vegetables
- Moer coffee – served the traditional way in enamel cups with condensed milk!
- Pancakes – cheap and popular with the little ones
- Gourmet Burgers – Too late for breakfast? Have lunch!
- Farmer’s Breakfast – A large fresh breadroll with a choice of toppings including bratwurst and onions, veal sausage, salmon and scrambled egg and for vegetarians, scrambled egg, tomato and spinach.
Take Home
There are so many tasty foods to take home. We like
- Hand-made balsamic vinegars from Protea Hill Farm in Stellenbosch
- ‘Theobroma - Food of the Gods’ chocolate truffles
- Knead Bakery’s artisan bread.
Need to Know
Where: Chrysalis Academy, behind Tokai forest picnic area. Follow the Pink Piggie signs.
When: Saturday mornings between 9am and 1pm (weather-permitting).
How Much: R5 entrance fee (per car) (donated to the students of Chrysalis Academy who assist with parking)
Contact:
Email: office@pepmarket.co.za
Website: www.pepmarket.co.za
Tel: 082 823 4121.
Other Fresh Produce and Organic Markets to look out for in the Western Cape:
ConstantiaValley Farmers Market
Saturday 8h30 – 14h30
3 Arts Centre, 260 Main Road, Plumstead.
Contact: Lindsay Gordon on 021 797 1067
Fresh Etc Market Kalk Bay
Third Sunday of every month 09h00 - 14h00
Kalk Bay Community Centre, Main Rd, Opposite Dalebrook pool
Contact: 021 788 8088
Holistic Lifestyle Fair Observatory
First Sunday of every month 10h00 - 16h00
Observatory Recreation Centre, corner Station and Lower Main Rd
Contact: 021 788 8088
Imhoff Farmers Market
First Saturday of every month, 10h00 – 14h00
Imhoff’s Gift Farm, Kommetjie Road, Kommetjie.
Contact : 021 783 4545
Neighbourgoods Market
Saturday 09h00 – 14h30
The Old Biscuit Mill in Albert Road, Woodstock
Rondebosch Organic Market
Saturday 07h30 – 12h00
Outside Rondebosch library.
Contact: Dee Collins on 021 696 5749
Soil for Life
Tuesday and Saturday mornings
Sage Organic Café – 117 Hatfield St, Gardens
Stellenbosch Fresh Goods Market
Saturday 09h00 – 14h00 (all weather!)
Bosman’s Crossing, Stellenbosch
Willowbridge Slow Food Market(New! as of December 2008!)
Saturday 09h00 – 14h00
Willowbridge Shopping Street, Tygervalley
Please contact me if you know of other Fresh Produce and Organic Markets in Cape Town, and the rest of South Africa.
(Images all from Porter Estate Market - with kind permission)
