New Brighton Farmers Market

New Brighton Farmers Market is a Tuesday morning market based at Tom Kendall Oval on River Street in New Brighton, a short trip for people exploring Lennox Head and the Byron Bay area. The market’s riverside setting is close to New Brighton’s surfing beaches, giving it an outdoor, community-focused feel rather than the atmosphere of a conventional shopping centre. According to the market, it hosts approximately 30 farmer and producer stalls, with shoppers able to meet the people who grow and make the food on offer.

The produce is centred on fresh, seasonal and organic food, with stalls offering items such as fruit and vegetables, sourdough bread, eggs, milk, cheeses, tempeh, macadamias, olives, spices, coffee and honey. The market also serves freshly brewed local coffee and breakfast prepared with seasonal produce. Because the selection reflects what is being grown and made at the time, it suits visitors who enjoy browsing, buying for the week ahead and learning more about where their food comes from. The market’s website also points shoppers towards information about what is in season, recipes and ways to grow and prepare fresh food.

There is more to the morning than shopping. Live music is held each week, while regular workshops, cooking demonstrations and other events add to the programme. Families can make use of the Kiddies Plot, a weekly children’s space with free art and craft activities, as well as hands-on activities connected with gardening and permaculture. The market also runs the Grow Your Own Lunchbox Challenge for schools, encouraging students to use food from their school gardens and take part in practical food education. These activities make the market a suitable stop for families, while the coffee, music and riverside tables also give couples, friends and solo visitors reasons to linger.

The market was established in 2007 by the North Byron Farmers Market Association to improve access to farm-fresh produce, support local growers and build a stronger community meeting place. It operates as a not-for-profit organisation, with the market stating that spending supports farmers, the local community and a more sustainable future. Visitors should note that it is a dog-free and cat-free venue, apart from guide dogs, and smoking is not permitted on the premises. With its direct connection to local producers, practical community programmes and relaxed riverside setting, New Brighton Farmers Market is a useful weekly destination for fresh food and a more social kind of grocery shop.