Organisers expect close to 9000 people to visit the Otago Farmers Market today as people scramble to get food ready for the big Christmas meal.
"I think a lot of people, [Friday] will be their last day of work, and they’ll be heading away so they’ll come by the market on their way out of town," Otago Farmers Market general manager Kate Vercoe said.
"We’re expecting a very full market with the first of the season’s raspberries."
There will also be a Christmas Eve market at the site next to the Dunedin Railway Station.
Ms Vercoe said various in-demand fresh foods would be available at the market on Tuesday, which will run from 6.30am to 10.30am.
"Everything’s there. A lot of cherries, lots of stone fruits coming through and new potatoes.
"Peas, which is always good because we’re never sure we’re actually going to have peas, but we had plenty last week so there will be plenty more.
"Lots of ham, some meat and lamb and all those things. It will be huge."
There would also be plenty of entertainment for shoppers.
"We’ve got the Mosgiel Brass Band playing and lots of other buskers and I actually think it’s going to be a good day — so we’re expecting a bumper market."
She said a gate count was done at a market in March and 8500 people went through.
"I would think this Saturday we would be looking at that sort of number.
"Tuesday, I think for those that haven’t left town, will also be a short, frantic market.
"It’s great because it’s been a slow season but the stone fruit and everything is really kicking in, so we’ll have really nice stone fruit and berries.’’
