These days there is a lot of controversy about the definition of “free range” and whether the chicken and the eggs you buy really are what most people would consider to be free range.
For example, new draft industry standards suggest that a free range egg farm can run as many as 20,000 chickens per hectare. “I don’t know too many people who would think of this as free range,” says Robert Gasparre, organiser of the Armidale Farmers’ Market.
The only way to really know what is going on is by talking to the producers themselves.
At the farmers’ market, quality free range eggs have been available for some time. Talk to Trish of Happi Hens about her chickens. Trish also supplies her eggs to Neram Harvest restaurant, which is always on the lookout for quality produce. She now has duck eggs and honey too.
Now, free range chicken meat is also available at the Market. Try a fresh, truly free range chicken and you will taste the difference. If you are planning on having a roast chicken at the Christmas dinner table, talk to Col and Lesley from Hillside Meat. They also provide beef and pork and you can “try before you buy” as they also sell sausage and steak sandwiches from the BBQ.
As we move into summer, you will find some great local produce becoming available. Visit the Armidale Local Food stall which has produce from a number of local gardeners. There is always something new and surprising at the Market.
If you are interested in knowing where your food comes from, visit the Armidale Farmers’ Market and Car Boot sale on Sunday, December 4 in Curtis Park; and remember, ‘you are what you eat’.
