On the first and third Thursday of each month The Levee comes alive with the Slow Food Earth Markets. What are the Slow Food Markets you ask? Well, read on.

Slow Food is food that is good, clean and fair. It envisions a world where people can access and enjoy food that is good for them, good for those who grow it and good for the planet.

All the produce at the markets is locally grown within a 100 km radius of Maitland. Actually, over 90% is grown within 15 kilometres, the only exceptions are a couple of producers from Dungog and Fosterton (north of Dungog).

Slow Food Hunter Valley is one of over 2,000 slow food communities throughout the world. This global movement involves millions of people who are passionate about good, clean and fair food.

What makes it different to other markets is that the person manning the stall is the person who grew the produce (except in some cases with Slow Food volunteers help the farmer serve customers). So, you get to meet the farmer, have a chat about what’s in season and what to try this week. Everything that is sold can be traced back to the farm it was grown on.

What started as a single pop-up stall in 2016 to save local pumpkins from being ploughed back into the ground, has evolved into Australia’s first ever Slow Food Earth Market. This makes Maitland the first market in Australia to guarantee a 100% adherence to the concept of your food coming direct from “farm gate to dinner plate” on every stall.

The organisation is run 100% by volunteers, who tirelessly work to put on the markets each month. At no cost to the farmers.

They also encourage backyard growers and local schools to take part. So, if you have excess produce in your garden why not get involved in the Slow Food Markets and share your produce with the local community.

Regular stallholders include:
Austin and Laurel Briener - fruit and vegetables
Within Radius - herbs and turmeric
Nebo - vegetables
Hunter Olive Growers and Sellers - olives
Little Hill Farm - chicken and eggs
CWA East Maitland - jams and preserves
Fosterton Biodynamic Farm - bread and pastries
Four Acre Farm - herbs and flowers
Lorn Grower - eggs and honey