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Dear Friend of the Farm
Last week, whilst preparing for Market Day, we rejoiced.
We received a box containing 7.8 kgs of beautiful brinjals and 18 bunches of lovely leeks. But this was no ordinary box of organically grown veggies - they were grown by people who may never have been given a chance were it not for selfless individuals who have a big vision to make a difference:
About, two years ago, Rachel Harvey, an American intern generously volunteered her time working at the Oranjezicht City Farm. Having learnt all she could for over a year, in November 2015 Rachel volunteered to help develop two new garden sites, on a City owned piece of land near Fruit and Veg City in Roeland Street and at Trafalgar High School, nearby.
 For the last 5 months, Rachel has worked tirelessly, with the support of Jesse Laitinen, strategic partnership manager at Khulisa Social Solutions (KSS). The project called Streetscapes, aims to address chronic homelessness on the streets of Cape Town through food gardening. The philosophy is based on the belief that enabling people to be productive and add value addresses social problems much more effectively than welfare projects.
The Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape is involved in kickstarting the project and the City of Cape Town pays small stipends to those working in the garden. Reliance Organic Compost helped too as did Michells Wholesale Nursery.
Zoleka Kakaza, 24, has been on the streets for several years. She says she loves working in the garden. “Garden work is good for me. It brings me peace of mind. Though I am paid R1275 per month, I find it better than begging,†she said. Zamuxolo Masabalala, originally from the Eastern Cape, has been homeless since 2010. He said, "I was married, but we had a dispute and so I was kicked out of the house ... I decided to be in the streets." In his childhood, he used to garden, and thanks to the project, he is again using that experience.
Imagine how many brinjals and leeks and bunches of kale and spinach and potatoes, and spring onion, could be grown in our city? Imagine if nutritious food was available for more people at affordable prices? Imagine if homelessness dropped and people were reintegrated with their families, lived with friends or got their own place, simply because they were employed, loved and happier?
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Market Day Saturday 16 April 2016 from 9am to 2pm, Granger Bay at the V&A Waterfront
Food and market-loving friends from all over the Mother City, throw on your most comfortable weekend wear, bring the family, or friends, and come spend Market Day celebrating our heroic farmers and artisanal producers who grow and prepare your food. Its the right thing to do.
What's in Season
As summer bids us farewell one fruit that is particularly hard to see go are figs.
Finding a fig farmer in Cape Town who is prepared to deliver small quantities of freshly harvested figs to a local farmers market is as rare as digging up a dragon fruit in Adderley Street. So when we met Jan Eksteen of Uitkijk Farm, Voor-Paardeberg, near Paarl, two years ago, we couldn't stop hugging him. "It's a labour of love," says Jan, "You don't do this for the money, but because it's such a wonderful way to live." He adds that a fig tree is long-lasting and prolific, and that it is not unusual for trees to continue producing well beyond 100 years. For the past 4 months Jan's family farm has been a hub of activity as workers fill bucket after bucket with dark, sweet purple figs. "Without the tireless work of our employees, we would be unable to bring this bountiful harvest of figs to you," says Jan. Workers pick the fruit destined for the market by hand, making sure to get the entire fig as well as the stem. This practice helps extend the shelf life by one to two weeks. "Immediately after picking on Friday afternoon", says Jan, "they're packed into 700gram boxes, loaded onto my bakkie and arrive on a Saturday morning early for you to take home". We thank Jan for being a passionate fig farmer and for enabling thousands of us to eat delicious fairly priced figs week after week.  If you, like us, are fig addicts, be sure to get your share of Jan's purple Evita figs this Saturday at Market Day. This may well be your last chance until next year.
Farmer Fan Olivier in Portervile has sent us no less than 60kg of Dragon fruit this week. Says Fan, "We've been able to harvest a bumper crop and have sent these stunning looking fruits to Market Day at a special price, so that everyone can enjoy them." Not called a super fruit for nothing, Dragon fruit is the perfect fruit for weight control while satisfying a sweet tooth. They help decrease bad cholesterol levels and replenishes good levels. Dragon fruit is an excellent source of monounsaturated fats, has high fibre content, which can assist with poor digestion and constipation and helps regulate diabetes by stabilising blood sugar levels. The flesh and seeds contain good protein. In addition, it is packed with active antioxidants, vitamins C, B1, B2 and B3, calcium, phosphorus, iron, protein, and niacin. It has also been credited to help with arthritis for its anti-inflammatory properties. "It's easy to eat. Cut it open and use a spoon to dig out its goodness. The taste is subtle, kind of like a kiwi and a melon, buy wait until your taste buds get used to the taste and then it becomes the finest thing.†laughs Fan.
 "Inside all of us there is a whoop for joy to be found upon encountering an undisturbed patch of Porcini, just waiting to get out," says Justin Williams, mushroom forager and supplier to Market Day. "I picked over 10kgs of Porcini on Tuesday and have sliced and dried them to bring to the Market. On Saturday morning I'm heading out very early into the forests and will be at the Market between 9 -10am with fresh goodies to sell, including foraged Porcini." Porcini, also known as Ceps, belong to the species of wild mushrooms called Boletes. The wonderful taste, texture and appearance of these mushrooms contribute to their reputation for being the most sought after of edible wild fungi. The Boletes grow under oak or pine trees - the pine being its prime habitat. It has an extremely rich flavour. Their nutty, earthy and meaty flavour compliments almost any hot or cold dish. Come and chat to Justin about wild mushroom foraging (do not attempt this until you know what you're doing) and find out about the courses he offers.
 Abalimi's Christina Kaba has 100kgs of green jalapeño chilli peppers for sale at R25/kg. Depending upon variety its Scoville range is from 2,000 to 10,000 units, so quite mild. (One of the hottest peppers on the Scoville scale is the Trinidad Scorpion Butch T pepper at 850k - 2.2m units). Add fresh or roasted Red Jalapenos to salsas, sauces, guacamole, stews, soups, tamales, casseroles, dips or anything else that can take a little heat.
We've got thick excellent quality fresh turmeric root for you. Dozens of studies have revealed many clinical benefits associated with curcumin, which turmeric has in abundance. They include antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory activity and protection against chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Juice it, slice it and use in combination with ginger to flavour and colour dishes, blitz it into a salad dressing -- there are countless ways to work turmeric into a meal.
Market Information
We suggest that you come early to ensure the pick of the harvest.
If you’ve forgotten your own shopper we have locally made cotton OZCF shoppers for R120 and gorgeous woven baskets for sale. We also sell OZCF branded short and long sleeved shirts, caps and safari style hats, and linen aprons unique to OZCF, available in stone or sage green.
We're happy to offer you a simple, easy, convenient and free payment solution as an alternative to cash payments. SnapScan is a smartphone app that lets you use your phone to make secure payments. It’s free to use and free to download so it’s perfect if you don’t want to carry cash. Read more here.
We're also able to offer credit card payments, and we accept cash.
Entrance: There is no fee to enter the market. Pedestrian entrances are open directly from The Lookout and on Beach Road, and cyclists, joggers, dog walkers and others are most welcome.
Public transport: The MyCiTi 104 route stops opposite the market on Beach Road and at the main V&A Waterfront stop. The T01 also stops there, as well as on Granger Bay Blvd a block from the market.
Uber to the Market: Proud to announce that OZCF Market Day has partnered with Uber to get our customers to and from the Market safely and in style. We'll reward you by giving you a 10% discount for purchases in the OZCF Veg Tent on sales of R200 and more upon sight of your Uber receipt. And you'll get a free pomegranate. New to Uber? Sign up here and enter the promo code EASTERSA for a free first ride up to R100.
Cycle or Walk: Cycle or walk to the Market, or as many have been doing - enjoy a walk along Beach Road and take an Uber home. Hire a cycle from Up Cycles on the Sea Point Promenade and ride to the Market. Rent a bike from Up Cycles at their station at the Sea Point Promenade and take a leisurely ride along the coast all the way to the OZCF Market Day to claim your reward. To get 10% off your smoothie from The Shakedown, simply show your Up Cycle rental slip to Richard and Corina who will reward you with 10% off the price.
Parking: Parking is a pleasure - either on site at The Lookout (R10 for the entire day), in one of the many V&AW parking garages, at The Grand Cafe and Beach with a short walk up the wooden steps to the market, or you can park for free along Beach Road, opposite the Somerset Hospital and Fort Wynyard – the gate on Beach Road into the Market site will be open on Saturdays. Map and further details on the website.
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What do our farmers have to offer you this week?
 Farmer Eric Swarts farming outside Stellenbosch has sent the crispiest of green beans, some heirloom tomatoes and bunches of carrots.
From the dedicated Farmers of Abalimi Bezekhaya on the Cape Flats we have brinjals, beets, pak choi, rhubarb, mint, chives, celery, radish and spring onions.
Farmers Josephine Fitzmaurice, Tendai Makands, Thomas Ruwati and Mark Harding at the Oranjezicht City Farm have harvested brinjals, radishes, spinach basil, rosemary and sage.
Farmers Lynette and Fanie Fourie of Eikelaan Farm just outside of Tulbagh have delivered herb salad, leeks, butternut, quinces and brinjals.
We have Beauregard Sweet Potatoes from organic Farmer Skye Fehlman in Philippi. Sweet potatoes are good for people with diabetes because they do not raise blood sugar and their complex carbohydrates  break down slowly rather than flooding the bloodstream with glucose. For as sweet as they are, sweet potatoes have a low glycemic index (which means they release sugar slowly into the bloodstream).
Farmers David and Charlene Rothquel from Klein Namaquasfontein near Redelinghuys on the West Coast have brought fresh lavender flowers and oil and Favlosa Olive Oil. David and Charlene drive three hours to the Market every Saturday and enjoy sharing their farming stories with you at the market.
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What do our traders have to offer you this week?
 Concerned and discerning meat consumers should make a point of buying from our three artisan meat traders, Martin Raubeheimer of Cure Deli , Salvin Hirschfield of Son of a Butcher and Richard Bosman Quality Cured Meats. If we’re going to promote the welfare of the animals and protect the health of the planet and our own, we need to care where and how our meat (and other products) are produced, sold and consumed. Among other factors, the animals should not travel great distances before or after slaughter, and the supply chain shouldn’t be so long that we don’t actually know where they come from, how they were farmed or even what they are. Ignominious farming practices can equate to cheaper prices in the immediate sense of cash over the counter, but there is an enormous price being paid by the animals, and it's at great cost to our health and the environment.
Martin brings home the bacon by curing only the finest pork bellies and backs and selling his delectable bangers, comfit and cured meats at the Market every Saturday.  Since Martin dry cures his bacon and adds no preservatives or water (to pump up the volume), it sizzles in the pan the way bacon should. Salvin's large range consists of Lamb Merquez, Greek Turi, Chorizo; bacon bangers; Wagyu bangers; traditional as well as kudu and warthog boerewors (when available) to name a few. Approach Richard Bosman's stall and choose from Truffle, Fennel and Citrus Whisky Salamis, Korean Chorizo, Wild Boar Coppa (Salami), Prosciutto and Fuet, Cacciatorini (Small cured sausage), Cured Pork Fillet and Pork Crackling, Soujouk (Turkish Sausage), Gemsbok Bresaola (aged salted beef), Confit Duck and Duck Prosciutto. The pork is sourced from Oak Valley Farm in Elgin, Buttons Farm in Piketberg and some from Glen Oakes in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. They are free range or pasture reared.
Lucy Marsten, of Lucy's offers Langvallei Raw Milk at R18 per litre and clotted cream. Jenny Cottrell and her husband John Kendall of Langvallei moved from South Wales to Robertson in 2006. The couple had made traditional clotted cream in Cornwall, and thought – righly so – that there might be a market for this indulgent treat in South Africa. The same centuries-old method is used to make it, which Jenny insists is a secret. We do know, however, that their famously thick cream achieves its texture with heat and then slow cooling. The whole process takes 48 hours. It’s all done by hand and the result is naturally sweet, with no preservatives or additives of any kind.
 This little 'egg cup' chick is one of Happy Hens' next generation of layers. Says farmer Claire Bennette, "Growing up in a natural outdoor environment in the garden, with their beaks intact and the roosters allowed to grow up too, it's all about natural happiness for these chickens. That's why their eggs are so good." Claire also breeds laying hens for city gardens. "A happy hen looks beautiful, lays well and makes a wonderful pet."
Mark and Cameron of Hart Nursery are on site every Saturday at Market Day to answer your gardening queries. They offer organically grown vegetable seedlings, compost and flowering and indoor plants.
Tracey of Village Gardens will have herb planters for sale at reasonable prices. Plus white and pink large flowering lavenders, and the usual herbs and edibles.
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A magnificent sight seen by Capetonians along parched freeway medians at this time of year, or after a fire on the mountain slopes, is the March Lily, (aka “Naked Ladies", due to their bare stems).
The plants respond to being ignored and unwatered all summer, when the flowers appear out of nowhere, before the leaves, a strange phenomenon known as hysteranthy.
Once the plant has finished flowering the leaves will die off and the bulb remains dormant until the next year. The technical name is Amaryllis Belladonna; the plant grows from a bulb but can easily be propagated by seed.
The pale pink blossoms are quite exquisite and can be seen now along Paradise Road in Newlands.
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See you at Market Day at Granger Bay, V&A Waterfront or at the Farm in Upper Orange St, Oranjezicht.
Remember to Eat Your Greens
The Oranjezicht City Farm Team
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