Abundant Backyard has a large, perhaps the feature, stall at the weekly Whakamarama Farmers Market selling its locally produced organic produce.

The beautiful presentation of each weekly stall hides the effort and hard work by Silvio Maffra and his colleague at Abundant Backyard organic “market garden” on the Whakamarama slopes.

A diverse and extensive area of planting

We thought we’d take a look and mid-day this hot, early November we called in. Silvio’s working day starts at 7am and Thursday is the busiest day of the week as the number of markets at which Abundant Backyard is selling its bounty is increasing.

Silvio in the branded Abundant Backyard baytee-shirt – total business pride

The gardens are laid out with precision. There are outdoor and covered areas. The plants provide the colour, textures and patterns of abstract art.

And today produce that is ready to be shared is picked, washed and packed for market – by hand.

Love the contrast – Silverbeet and Florence Fennel

And on the table, ready to be eaten in an instant – Silvio’s lunch!

Check out the Abundant Backyard website you’ll enjoy Silvio’s back story and the information about the Dunton-McLeod sustainability gurus http://www.abundantbackyard.co.nz/

The Whakamarama Farmers Market is on at the Whakamarama Community Centre (opposite the school) every Friday afternoon from 3pm to 6pm. Fresh produce, artisan products, plants, art craft and sustainability products. Homebaking in the kitchen and hot and cold drinks. Sealed parking and toilets within the hall available.

Here’s a look at front exterior of the Hall and a plaque commemorating the gift of land on which the hall was built

Rosemary Balu. Rosemary Balu is the founding and current Managing Editor of ARTbop. Rosemary has arts and law degrees from the University of Auckland. She has been a working lawyer and has participated in a wide variety of community activities where information gathering, submission writing, community advocacy and education have been involved. Interested in all forms of the arts since childhood Rosemary is focused on further developing and expanding multi-media ARTbop as the magazine for all the creative arts in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.