Central Coast Farmers Markets: Buy Fresh Winter Produce, Support Local Growers

Central Coast residents filled stalls at the Gosford Farmers Market on Mann Street last Saturday, snapping up crates of broccoli and bags of navel oranges picked that week from orchards near Kulnura.

July marks peak season for brassicas and citrus on the Central Coast, where shorter days and cooler nights concentrate flavours in vegetables grown without long-haul transport. Shoppers report spending less on imported greens while supporting farms that supply the region’s surf clubs and cafes along the Gosford to Terrigal coastal path.

Two markets worth the trip this month

The Gosford market operates every Saturday from 7am to noon at the waterfront park, drawing growers from Peats Ridge and Somersby who set up beside the old railway line. A short drive east, the Terrigal Produce Market runs Sundays on Ocean Street near the surf lifesaving club, where vendors offer kale bunches and lemons from plots bordering Bouddi National Park trails. Both sites accept cash and card, and stallholders provide reusable crates to reduce plastic use.

Prices and produce to watch for now

Central Coast Council figures released in June showed a 19 percent rise in market attendance between May and July 2025 compared with the same period the year before. Current prices include cauliflower at $3.50 a head, spinach bunches for $2.50 and blood oranges at $6 per kilogram, all below supermarket rates for the same items. These numbers come from direct sales that keep money with local families rather than distribution chains.

Buyers should arrive early for the best selection, then head home via the Tuggerah Lake cycle path to keep the morning active. Anyone unsure about portion sizes or storage can ask stallholders for simple recipes using the day’s haul, or speak with a local GP or dietitian for tailored advice on fitting the produce into weekly meals.