SHOPPING at your local farmers market this Christmas is a wonderful way to support local growers, the local economy and the environment.

At the market there’s super fresh locally grown and produced food for your Christmas table that you will enjoy even more knowing where it has come from and how it was produced.

At Mullumbimby Farmers Markets y ou’ll find locally and ethically produced meat and seafood including free range nitrate-free hams, pork and beef roasts from Hayters Hill Farm near Byron Bay, pasture-raised organic free-range chicken from Fox Farm near Newrybar, and local Dorper lamb from Bexhill.There are locally raised oysters from Brunswick Seed Oysters, JJ Seafood’s fresh fish, caught off Ballina ,and The Bay Smokehouse’s delicious smoked local fish.

For nibbles and entertaining there are fresh dips, including Baraka Byron Bay’s award winning hummus and babaganoush, The Spice Palace’s fresh seasonal dips (including vegan options) and The Bay Smokehouse’s award-winning Fish Rillettes; local macadamias from Rainforest Foods and Nudgel Nuts; farmhouse cheeses from Nimbin Valley Dairy and Cheeses Loves You and fresh and dried olives from the famous Grumpy Grandma’s.

There’s a huge amount of fresh fruit and vegetables in season including potatoes, beetroot, pumpkin, green beans, carrots, corn, lettuce, radish, tomato, eggplant, capsicum and cucumber; and blueberries, bananas, papaya and passionfruit to top off your pav.

The farmers markets are also a great place to pick up some unique local handmade gifts, such as pretty beeswax candles from Happy Flame;camphor laurel cutting boards from Le Chop; or natural soaps from Church Farm. Or why not put together a hamper for a foodie friend, filled with local goodies like Organic Forrest coffee, Nudgel Nuts macadamias,local chocolate from Puremelt Byron Bay, olives and olive oils from Grumpy Grandma’s, curry pastes from Church Farm, handmade cordials from local citrus grower Rancho Limes, bush food jams and spices from Playing With Fire or some of the many local pickles, preserves, jams and sauces on offer.