Recipes, banter and belonging: Sophie Hansen on why country life is all about the farmers' market

My tree-change started at a farmers’ market 13 years ago. It was a bitter Bathurst morning and farmer Tim was presiding over his market stall, throwing around recipe tips and bantering with regulars while sipping on coffee and selling the farmed-venison sausages, steaks, pies and shanks from his, now our, farm just out of Orange, NSW.

The scene appealed instantly – not just the farmer (who later became my husband), but also his world of farmers’ markets, which became mine, too.

For the next 10 years I spent most Saturday mornings driving around the country in a refrigerated van, then setting up shop for a morning of sharing recipes and ideas with our customers.

I adored those frosty mornings and as we had babies and our family grew, I loved that they became part of our market experience, too.

I also loved how our customers would cuddle them while we served other customers; and how they became part of the market community.

Farmers’ markets are one of the best parts about country life. They allow tree-changers to get to know the farmers, to eat and live by the seasons and support local food.

Two favourite markets in our part of the world are Bathurst and Mudgee. Bathurst holds its market in a showground on the fourth Saturday of the month, with everything from pastured pork to walnuts.

Mudgee’s, with a thriving food-and-wine culture, is held on the third Sunday of the month in the pretty grounds of central St Mary’s Church.

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Top country home

154 Peel Street, Bathurst NSW. Photo: Supplied

With the National Trust’s beautiful and tranquil Miss Traill’s House museum as a neighbour, this historic property on Peel Street is in one of Bathurst’s prettiest pockets.

From the iron-lacework around the verandah to the six large bedrooms, formal living and dining rooms, entertainer’s kitchen, open fireplaces and established 1585-square-metre block, this is a gorgeous and unique property.

One of a coveted few of Bathurst’s Victorian-style bungalows that come onto the market, it’s also an easy walk into the centre of town and, of course, to the markets.

It’s for sale through Terri Shute of Panorama Real Estate Bathurst, for $990,000 to $1.089 million.