I have always loved to shop.  Instead of getting my fix with a new outfit or new pair of shoes, I now find greater gratification in food shopping.

There was a time when it used to be the weekly trolley run around the supermarket for pure convenience but now I have another destination.  I am lucky enough to live in the environ of the Bunbury Farmers Market which has now become my holy grail of food shopping.  And I am not alone – I know many people who travel from much farther afield for the culinary treasures they purvey.

It’s not just a shopping trip though it is a tasting degustation as you make your way around.  So you can pick up a coffee to walk around with or grab a freshly made fruit smoothie and as you walk in, you are greeted with an array of all types of fresh fruit – mostly seasonal local produce but they do bring in the more exotic from warmer climes around our continent.

Turn the corner and it’s a wonderful selection of all different coloured tomatoes from which to choose, then on to an overwhelming choice of beautifully fresh vegetables. The broccoli doesn’t begin to go yellow if you don’t manage to get to it in the fridge within the week – it will easily last two weeks.  I have veggie overload every time I walk around and could easily become a vegetarian (okay, well maybe not) as I grab some gorgeous baby eggplants with an eggplant parmigiana recipe buzzing around in my head.  After mulling over the range of mushrooms, I settle on some Swiss Brown and after filling my brown paper bag, move on to the seafood.

John Dory, Orange Roughy, Gurnard, Tasmanian Salmon, Clams, Mussels, Prawns.  Not sure what Gurnard tastes like?  Here try some, and here’s a recipe also.  Turn around and you are into the meat and poultry section and there on the Weber cooking is some local yearling fillet of beef – oh the aroma!  I take a sample being offered sprinkled with pink Murray River salt  – yes, better get one of those…….

My epicurean journey delivers me to the deli section – over in the corner I am offered a sample of a sweet lamb curry, one of their ready made dinner dishes available which is made on the premises by their in-house chefs who also make the most delectable range of sweet and savoury pies.  Would I like to try some sushi or what about some olives?

I move on to the dairy section.   Locally churned butter, locally produced yogurts, cream, creme fraiche and then there’s the cheese.  Yes, did I mention the cheese? Australian, Italian , French – if you are a cheese lover you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven!  And there are always at least three available to sample at any time and yes you will end up buying one of them!

Around the corner to the welcoming bouquet of freshly baked bread – I think I’ll have one of those Italian loaves this week.  I wander past the shelves of artisan salad dressings and sauces and imported specialities and resist further temptation.

All too soon I reach the checkout and am loading my haul of goodies into the car. Driving home……now what shall I make?