Market manager Sarah Power took the job at the markets to connect with people. Photo: CRFM.
Who are you?
Sarah Power. I am the market manager at Capital Region Farmers Market held on Saturday mornings at Exhibition Park.
Tell me about the markets
Capital Region Farmers Market has been a Canberra institution since 2004. We just celebrated our 21st birthday! We are run by the Rotary Club of Hall. The markets were started as a way to support farmers who needed avenues to sell their produce and we’ve grown so much since then. We have about 100 weekly stallholders, farmers and producers, and everything they sell is grown or produced themselves, so you know exactly where your food is coming from.
And the profits go to amazing Rotary community projects in the Canberra Region, around Australia and even overseas.
How did you get involved in the markets? Do you come from a farming background?
Not at all! I got involved when my husband was working as a ranger for the ACT Government and we lived in the national park in Gudgenby. I loved living there, but when I had a baby, I wanted to find more ways to be more active in the community and interact with other people, and the markets just became a natural fit. I knew one of the stallholders and it just all happened from there.
If you weren’t managing the markets, what would you be doing instead?
As a kid, I was always changing my mind about what I wanted to do, but it was always about art and performance, or working with people. If I wasn’t doing the market, it would definitely still have something to do with supporting small businesses. I guess a big dream would be becoming a philanthropist, but this ticks all the boxes in terms of what I want to do.
Capital Region Farmers Market has been a mainstay of the local food scene for over 20 years. Photo: CRFM.
What is your food philosophy?
After working with the markets for five years, I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to know where your food comes from and support the people who grow your food. People really underestimate just how much effort goes into growing the food for your table. And here at the markets, we have such a great opportunity to build relationships with the people who grow our food.
What is your must-use ingredient when cooking?
I go through so much honey. I’m a mum with two young kids, and if I’ve got honey and I’ve got eggs, I can feed them all week long! I use honey for marinades or in baking instead of sugar. I had a salad today and I made a honey dressing.
What’s an underrated Canberra venue that you love?
I love going over to Gang Gang Cafe. When I need to get out of the shed on a Friday in the middle of winter, I often head over there or up to the cafe at the Arboretum. They both use produce from the markets, which is great, so I like to support them.
Co-owner of Gang Gang Sam Conway in his Downer Cafe. Photo: Supplied.
Who do you admire in the Canberra food scene?
I am in awe of what our farmers do, not just to produce the food but to get here to the market week in and week out. It’s very inspiring to talk to them every week.
Where’s the best place for a drink in Canberra?
I live out of town in Crookwell these days, and I don’t stay overnight in Canberra. But I recently had a great Summer afternoon picnic by the lake with a lovely sauvignon blanc.
Who is your dream dinner party guest, and what would you make them?
My daughter, who passed away as a baby. And I would cook her whatever she wants.
What is your current food obsession?
There’s a bit of a Korean theme going on in my home at the moment. We don’t go out to eat often, but we cook at home a lot and love learning new recipes. There’s a lot of Korean spices happening at the moment.
Sarah is obsessed with Nagi from Recipe Tin Eats. Photo: Recipe Tin Eats/Instagram.
What’s the best thing you ate this week?
On the Korean theme, I’m a bit obsessed with Nagi from Recipe Tin Eats. I made her Korean Barbecue Chicken this week, and it was incredible.
What’s a food that reminds you of your childhood?
Tuna. My Dad was in the army, and he was away a lot, so when Mum needed to feed us kids, she would get out the trusty tuna! It takes me right back to comfort food: tuna fish cakes, tuna pasta, all of that.
What’s a normal breakfast for you?
Every single morning I make eggs for my daughters: omelettes, dippy eggs, soft boiled with soldiers, or scrambled eggs on sourdough.
When you shop at the market, what do you look for?
I try and get around to all the different stallholders, particularly when new season stuff comes in. Autumn is my favourite and it’s so colourful and represents Canberra so well. I love seeing what’s in season and jumping on that.
When you can’t be bothered to cook for yourself, what do you eat?
We’ve always got something in the freezer: usually pizza bases or pasta from the markets. Usually, on a Saturday night after the markets, I don’t cook, and we just grab one of those from the freezer and have a lazy meal.
Where are you travelling next?
I’m training for the Sydney marathon at the moment so my life revolves around running! I’ll be heading to the big smoke in August for the event. I usually go for a run around the lake in Canberra on a Friday morning before work.
Tell me something you love about Canberra
I love the seasons and I love the bush atmosphere. I love that I can go for a run today and start off near a main road. Then, I’ll be running by a paddock next to the cows, and then I’ll be in Kingston with all the cafes.
What TV show are you watching right now?
I always have Michael Shur’s shows on rotation like Brooklyn 99 or The Good Place. I just finished A Man On The Inside with Ted Danson, which I highly recommend. Those comedies are always such a good take on human nature and being kind.
But for the long drive home, I listen to true crime podcasts: they keep me awake!
An easy one to finish – what’s your go-to coffee order?
Flat white with oat milk. It’s a warm hug in a cup.
The Capital Region Farmers Market is held weekly on Saturdays from 7 to 11.30 am. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Riotact.
