In true French style, Pine Harbour Fresh Market brings together a delicious line-up of locally produced and manufactured food, beverages and exclusive European imported culinary ingredients in a magical waterfront setting on the green at Pine Harbour Marina.
French cheeses, flowers, artisan French breads, organic vegetables and meats, preserves, French pastries and more are among the array of goodies which will be sold at the market every Saturday, starting November 28, 8am-12noon.
And to celebrate the new venture, the first 100 visitors to the market on opening day will receive a complimentary Fresh Market eco-shopper.
The brain child of Fiona Hughes, the weekly Fresh Market will not only serve the local communities of Whitford, Maraetai and Beachlands but looks certain to attract patrons from nearby Howick, Botany, Brookby and Clevedon.
Fiona, who lives in rural south Auckland with her Parisienne husband and three children, has a background in fine arts, fashion and retail design.
For the market, she has designed mobile rustic stalls with traditional black and white-striped canopies so that vendors can concentrate on presenting their wares without the hassle of setting up tents and tables.
“The nature of the mobile design means if the weather is unfavourable, the stalls can easily be positioned against the prevailing wind or configured to suit the weather on the day,” says Fiona, who has modelled the Pine Harbour Fresh Market on the common French village green market or ‘marche local’, that her husband grew up with in his native village of Noisy le Roi, close to Versailles Palace.
“In these neighbourhood markets, shoppers fill their baskets with fresh local produce and the best imported ingredients for a week’s worth of good living.
“I have always loved to sit down to eat with friends and family over simple, fresh food; to listen and to laugh.
“It’s easily done and I wanted it to become a regular tradition that my children could grow up with and take with them. The market is a good way to start.”
Pine Harbour is just 15-20 minutes drive from Howick/Botany and can be accessed by boat too.
The Pine Harbour ferry also sails to and from downtown Auckland, a great way for city friends to come and enjoy the market ambience and to see the area.
