With a new location in the heart of town, and even more variety, this summer looks set to be a bumper season for the Queenstown Farmers Market.
Now into its third year, the market for fresh, seasonal produce will be held on the St Peter's Anglican Church green, making it more accessible, organiser Sharlene Dow said.
"I walked past it and thought 'that's it'. It was ideal," she said.
The new location was a natural progression for the market, which began at the Queenstown Primary School site two summers ago.
While the school offered plenty of space and parking, and was close to town, the new location offered the benefits of a downtown location and a pleasant atmosphere with trees to shelter it from strong sun and wind.
It would attract more foot traffic and more people would be able to experience fresh local food and chat with the people who grew it.
She also believed market days could become more of a community hub.
"It is a very social thing. People meet up, have a cup of fresh coffee and have a great time," Ms Dow said.
While some technical details were still to be finalised, she expected the first market day to be Saturday, December 13, from 9am until 12.30pm.
She recommended going early for the freshest and best vegetables, breads, fish, meats and preserves.
The attraction of the market, which she started with husband Kent, was fresh food, picked the day before.
"It tastes better and it keeps longer," Ms Dow said.
Most of the old favourite stalls would be back, and there had been a steady stream of inquires about the market since word of the move got out, she said.
Alongside the breads, cheese, garlic, vegetables, flowers, fish and meats which had become regular market features, Ms Dow expected there would be a potted herbs stall, free-range eggs, and more.
Another initiative would be a "guest stall" each week, giving producers from further afield one-off opportunities to present their products in Queenstown, or for localhome gardeners looking to turn their abundant crops into cash.
But her favourite new stall would sell locally made chocolates.
"I tried one and it was just divine - a fresh strawberry surrounded by creme anglaise and coated in chocolate."
