Fresh, festive fare at its best: Market readies for last-minute Christmas table dash

Thousands of tonnes of local prawns, ham and cherries will send Christmas cheer far beyond the dinner table this year.

For Prue Delaney, with her daughter Isla, on a pre-Christmas market shop that has become a family tradition. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

‘Tis the season to enjoy a cool 45,000kg of locally-grown cherries, 10,000 handmade fruit mince pies and thousands of kilograms of fresh South Aussie prawns.

The produce, along with 11,500kg of locally-produced ham – smoked as well as leg – and 3500kg of turkey is tipped to be sold at the Adelaide Central Market ahead of Christmas.

Market general manager Jodie Kannane said COVID-19 hadn’t dampened the festive cheer with the iconic precinct experiencing its busiest trading period of the year, as she urged shoppers to abide by social distancing in their last minute dash for fresh produce.

Market general manager Jodie Kannane. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“(The market) is overflowing with an abundance of fresh local produce, Christmas essentials and festive fare … (we’ve) local seafood, the best fresh produce, turkeys, hams, locally-grown cherries and house-made goodies,” she said.

“This is always a very special time … after what’s been a very challenging year, it’s never been more important to shop and support local business this Christmas.

“(Our fishmongers) are preparing for the biggest trade period of the year with fresh local seafood including prawns, lobsters, whole fish, and oysters in high demand.”

She said fresh SA lobsters, long a luxury festive treat, were selling for $79.95.

As well as the traditional festive fare, Ms Kannane said stallholders were selling a range of unique and alternative Christmas titbits, including gluten free Christmas puddings, spelt fruit mince tarts, sustainable bonbons and an abundance of sweet treats.

For Prue Delaney, who headed to the market during the week with daughter Isla, 6, a pre-Christmas market shop has become a family tradition.

“It is vibrant and fun … we just love shopping here and always come here ahead of Christmas,” she said.

“We are big are seafood lovers and always come here to get that.”

Extended trading hours will continue through to Christmas Eve with the market opening at 6.00am tomorrow.

“We are reminding people to remain COVID-19 safe, check-in at the entrance … maintain a safe social distance while shopping and sanitise hands at the sanitising stations located at key entrances,” the market’s Ms Kannane said.