FARMERS markets have become a favoured place for consumers to buy their groceries - even more so with COVID-19 causing shortages in retail supermarkets.
Most markets across the state have about 500 weekly attendees with some markets, such as Barossa and Adelaide markets having many more.
Adelaide Showgrounds Farmers' Market executive officer Christine Robertson said a huge part of the community who shop at the market want to support South Australian growers and SA produce.
"It is also being a part of a community where the customer gets to speak to the people that actually grow the produce," she said. "Interestingly farmers' markets themselves have become quite popular, especially over the last couple of years because of the ability to shop outside, shop fresher and healthier.
"There is definitely a trend for people to get fresher and more nourishing food and to have a connection with those people that are selling it and making it."
Ms Robertson said people no longer wanted to have spaceless shopping where they have no attachment with what they are buying.
"They are spending their money more wisely and probably wanting to spend it where it really makes a difference," she said.
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Celebrating the Mount Pleasant Farmers' Market 10-year milestone was manager Terese Stephens, who said the market had much to celebrate.
"Every week it has given local and neighbouring communities the opportunity to shop local for their fresh food produce, to support SA growers, and a place to socialise," she said.
"Because of COVID-19, people want to see where their food is coming from and the supermarket supply chains are nothing like our supply chains because they come straight from the producer to us.
"We don't have the transport and logistics problems other companies do.
"We have also seen an increase in uptake of our online store because people want to support the farmers market but may not be able to attend like they usually do."
Ms Stephens says the produce also lasts much longer.
Mount Gambier Farmers' Market manager David Geddes says farmers' markets are trending because it is an opportunity for buyers to work directly with the people who produce the food.
"At the farmers' market, you talk to the actual person who has grown or picked that fruit or made those particular cakes or biscuits you are buying," he said.
Also celebrating 20 years in 2022 is the Barossa Farmers' Market, with manager Helen Hughes saying the local community and tourists have contributed to its success.
"Over 1000 people a week come to the market," she said.
"We have had to manage customer numbers because the variety of produce available attracts people to the market, with a lot of it being produced in the Barossa.
"Recently in the last couple of years with COVID-19, markets have had an increase in shopper numbers and the type of product people are looking for has changed.
"More boutique products, such as vinegars and oils, have seen sales drop slightly because they are not needed every week but buyers are coming in for basics, like bread and milk that supermarkets tend to sell out of."
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