Sarina and Francesco Virgara operate
one of the best market gardens in South
Australia. They are a mainstay for Willunga
Farmers Market regulars and Virgara’s is
often the first stop; a long table covered
in hessian sacks and stacked with
fresh vegetables. As a long-time stall
holder, Sarina reflects on the producers
who make up the market community.
‘Everyone who is there has a passion for
food and to bringing the best they can to
what they do and enjoying food. What can
be wrong with that?’ she laughs.
The couple took over their stall from Sarina’s father Domenic Scarfo
twelve years ago. ‘We’ve kept it the same, but also tried to expand
and bring something different,’ Sarina tells me. At all times of the
year they have their staple offerings of carrots, onions, beetroot
and potatoes, but when in season they bring their amazing fresh
artichokes, broad beans and Romanesco cauliflower, as well as fresh
basil and tomatoes (think Caprese salad). The Virgaras also produce
their own olive oil and olives.
All their produce is grown for our local markets in Victor Harbor and
Willunga and the Adelaide Showground Farmers’ Market on Sundays.
The couple works hard – harder than most I would say. ‘It is just what
you do,’ says Sarina. There is a slight lull in late winter but keeping
up the stock for the markets requires weekday and weekend work.
Their commitment to having a family member present at the markets
is about maintaining quality control. ‘Things are not looked after as
well and you just have to be there,’ says Sarina. Indeed, when Sarina
had her first baby she worked right up until the birth. There she was
heavily pregnant and working one weekend, and then two weeks
later she was back at it with the baby either on her hip or in the pram.
This is all part of the market community; growing healthy babies and
growing healthy food.Gardening comes with challenges but Sarina is philosophical. ‘While
you can control what you plant and when you plant it and how much
water you give it, the one thing you can’t control is the weather so
you just have to roll with the punches,’ she says. Early starts and
early finishes during intense heat waves is the order of the day, and
there’s little you can do about it.
‘We want to bring the freshest produce (to the market) that we can,’
says Sarina. That means a ‘full-on Friday.’ Preparation for the markets
involves picking, then packing, counting, sorting, loading the truck
and getting up early the next morning to set up. And that is where
the hard work pays off. As people flock to the market it’s obvious
just how much they appreciate the Virgara’s commitment to quality,
freshness and consistency, come rain, hail or shine.Virgara’s garden
Above: Sarina Virgara.Every Saturday 8am ‘til 12:30pm
Meet the grower, TASTE THE REGION
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Located at Willunga Town Square, Willunga
http://www.willungafarmersmarket.com.au
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