BEHIND THE CHRISTCHURCH FARMERS’ MARKET.

OUR STORY.

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The Christchurch Farmers’ Market is held every Saturday from 9am - 1pm and has been operating since 2004 making it one of Canterbury’s original food markets. The market is set in the idyllic open air grounds of the historic Riccarton House & Bush, also home to Local at Riccarton House Restaurant & Venue. Situated under 100 year old trees the weekly market winds itself beside the Avon River and follows past the 1856 Homestead and gardens towards the 1.8 hectare protected native bush ‘Puringamatou’.

Over 60 of Canterbury finest local producers & artisans showcase their wares each Saturday. From baking to fresh seasonal vegetables & fruit, cheesemongers, delis & butchers, patisseries, olive oil, and a number of hand-made breakfast & lunch food options plus fresh organic coffee from Hummingbird Roaster, the market is simply a melting pot of cuisines and food products.

Gather & meet with family & friends, have a wander & shop then relax under the shade of a protected tree or along the Avon riverbank, listen to live music and simply enjoy one of Christchurch’s special attractions. Voted ‘Best Public Event’ for 2 years in a row, the CFM is proud to nurture small food businesses from ‘start-up’ to established foodie icons.


Snap shot of a Market day:

Our hard working market workers arrive from 6am and set up the stalls and everything associated with the market. Stall holders then start arriving from 7am to get set up for the days trading, a bit of banter, the occasion high five or hug, the mornings are a bustle of food movement. Products are laid out and presented, organic vegetables and sourdough baguettes tower over each other, delicate cakes are placed with precision. The coffee station starts serving organic Hummingbird coffees for the stallholders from 8am and from the official 9am market opening, trading commences. Come 1pm, the stallholders packup and depart, waves of goodbye are given, the market workers pack down and the Riccarton grounds are restored to their original glory, until next Saturday..