Jan Powers Farmers Markets is a big feature in Manly

It was a passion for bringing real farmers and artisan products to urban areas that prompted Jan Power to open a farmers market 30 years ago.

What started out as a handful of stalls in a Gold Coast hotel carpark boomed into three successful market locations today.

Jan Powers Farmers Markets is a big feature in Manly and pops up in the village on the first and third Saturday of every month. 

The markets are also held in Brisbane city at the Powerhouse in New Farm, giving more than 300 growers a voice and a pedestal every week and thousands the opportunity to enjoy their flavours.

Jan has now retired and daughter Sammy Power has taken her place as the market director.

"Every Jan Powers [Farmers] Market is a big, bustling open air market selling fresh farm produce, flowers, breads, artisan designers, meat, fish, fowl, plants, organics, olives, spices, oils, honey, ginger beers, bagels, fresh pastas, curry powders, delicious smoothies, French delicacies, coffee and food combinations that are beyond compare!" she said.

Sammy counts her dedicated staff as 'among the best' who have all been with the business for at least nine years.

"I have a manager for every market, ground staff who help the stallholders get into position, empty bins, help customers, a brilliant bookkeeper and internet guy. But it's a fairly small family business - in all there's about ten of us," said Sammy.

The team at Jan Powers Farmers Markets truly love food and sellers include plenty of passionate bakers, growers and artisan producers who want to share their love with the masses.

"We need to support our farmers and creative talents and it's food! You know where your food is coming from and it hasn't been frozen in some storage area for six months."

Sammy said the hot new trend at the moment is vegan and vegetarianism and of course, gluten free.

"We have a lot of great new producers in these areas, Sammy said. "It's great to see the vendors imparting their wealth of knowledge to the general public and them walking away with a smile."

www.janpowersfarmersmarkets.com.au.