An exotic Saturday at the iconic Mossman Markets
MOSSMAN
The sound of a kid playing the Djembe, friendly chattering everywhere and the smell and bright colours of exotic tropical fruit triggering your senses.
This is the Saturday Mossman market. A place that revolves around nature, local produce, healthy organic food and creative artisans.
Underneath the shady canopy of huge, ancient raintrees and next to the historic St David’s Church, you’ll find a bunch of local farmers, nature lovers, healthy foodies and creative craftspeople.
Market coordinator Joanne Vico became in charge of the Mossman market twenty-eight years ago.
“It started off in 1988 with only two stalls selling local fruit and vegetables,” she tells Newsport.
“Now there are about forty stalls with a great variety of the most flavourful fruit and vegetables, including exotic, hard-to-come-by produce and organic treats.
“Other than fruit and vegetables, we have spices and cake stalls, alongside clothing and handmade jewellery, plant and craft outlets, the biggest range of books and even a massage lady.”
According to Ms Vico, the main reason people visit the Mossman market is because of “the social and friendly atmosphere and the beautiful setting with the unique lighting of the raintrees.
“Someone that really stands out on this market is Kate, our plant lady and environmentalist. At her stall called ‘Bees Trees’ she gives away plants for free and she makes bats on a stick made out of old fabrics for the kids to play with,” Ms Vico said.
Stallholder Kate said she wants to teach people about nature.
“In my opinion, we need more plants and trees, so I try to encourage people to plant as many plants as possible,” she explains. “Look at the beautiful trees above us for example, we are right under nature.”
At the stall next to Kate, craftsman Richard Mustchin is busy weaving bamboo baskets. He has been selling his baskets underneath Mossman’s shady raintrees for about ten years.
Before that, he travelled all over Australia selling baskets out of the back of his bus.
“I love coming to this market every Saturday because of the relaxed vibe,” he said. “There is a wide diversity of people which means everybody can be completely themselves at this market.”
Lesley Shorten, who sells all sorts of homemade jams, chutneys, breads and cakes, agrees with Mr Mustchin. “It is a very genuine market and there is a strong and friendly community,” she said.
Ms Shorten’s homemade products have been popular at the Mossman market for over twelve years. “Some people even come to my house during the week because they ran out of one of my products and can’t wait till Saturday,” she said laughing.
Stallholder Penelope Wiltshire also sells homemade food, all raw vegan. She makes fermented food like sauerkraut and kimchi and with the greens out of her garden she makes a delicious ‘garden pesto’.
“I love making beautiful food out of the variety of produce that is grown locally,” she said.
“The health benefits I experienced in going raw vegan and eating fermented food have been phenomenal. It has changed my life and I haven’t been sick for seven years.”
When asking her about the atmosphere of the market, Ms Wiltshire said that she loves the compactness of this market.
“It is nice and small and visitors spend all morning here. They don’t just run in and out, but they really take their time to have a chat with the stallholders. I think that creates the atmosphere that also attracts tourists to come to this market.”
Her market ‘colleague’ Sue Wheatly also sells organic products but in the form of handcrafted soaps. Her stall stands out because of the beautiful setup and delicious smell.
“I started making soap without any chemicals because I suffer from severe asthma”, she said. “The way that I have set up my stall puts across a natural and organic feel. Also, all of my labelling is environmentally friendly.
“I love the feel of this market. It is one of those markets you come to and you just don’t forget. I also became good mates with the other stallholders, it really feels like a family.”
For the most exotic tropical fruits, Jeanette and Don Grey’s stall is the place to be. They have been growing exotic fruits from all over the world in their backyard in Julatten since 1978.
As Mr Grey is one of the founding members of the Rare Fruit Society Australia, he delights customers with all his knowledge.
“We sell rollinia’s, a yellow fruit that tastes like lemon meringue pie,” Mr Grey explains with enthusiasm. “Another popular fruit is the soursop, a Caribbean fruit that just tastes like sherbet.”
His personal favourite is a creamy fruit called durian. “The flavour is a strange combination of savoury, sweet and creamy all at once,” he said.
His wife Jeanette thinks the Mossman market is the best market they know of. “It’ is a lovely local market. Everyone knows each other and there is a friendly atmosphere.”
From soaps to kimchi and creamy fruits, anything and everything is available at the Mossman market. But be aware, because before you know it, you’ll spend your whole morning wandering and chatting at this unique market.
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