There’s a page on GoodIsBetter called Local, which is my spot for sharing fabulous discoveries from where I live.

Now that home is Sydney, here’s an archive of what used to be in the Local List when local was the Sunny Coast in Queensland:

The Lane at Palmwoods (http://www.facebook.com/thelaneatpalmwoods) and Renae’s Pantry (https://www.facebook.com/RenaesPantry)

• Friday afternoons/evenings and Saturday mornings
• magical laneway full of food, local produce, groceries, books, clothes, music, local craft, delightful people
• community box program where locals sell their wares
• Pantry proprietors Ben and Renae who are two of the loveliest and most inspiring people I have ever met. Ever.

98 Fish (https://www.facebook.com/98Fish)

• finally, a place to buy fresh, sustainable and local seafood
• a ‘fresh list’ of what’s in store published online daily
• perfect service with helpful and knowledgeable advice

Sheena’s Natural Therapies (07 5456 4510)

• deeply restorative massage using the raindrop technique with pure essential oils from Young Living

Seedlings (corner of Nambour-Mapleton Rd and Willandra Place, Mapleton)

• this honesty-box roadside stall sells an astounding range of seedlings, all grown from Digger’s heirloom seeds
• punnets are a bargain ($2 each), plants are robust and you can browse a laminated copy of the catalogue to learn more about what you’re buying

Dagun Growers Market (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dagun-Growers-Market/207038929374594)

• an instance of the Mary Valley recuperating after the devastating  dam proposal that crippled (and also strengthened) us between 2006 – 2009 (check out http://www.stoppress.com.au/ for the back-story)
• supporting small-scale agriculture in the valley will support economic and social recovery…and with food like this it’s so very easy to do one’s bit!
• markets every Saturday arvo from 4 pm
• all produce is care farmed within 50km and sold co-operatively
• Includes finger limes, sorrel, baby eggplant, winged beans and greens

Obi Obi Essentials (http://www.obiobiessentials.com.au/)

• locally grown and processed olive oil, olive leaf tea and green tea
• watch a video of Alexina and the farm at http://www.offtheeatentrack.tv/video/video.asp?segment=51
• these wonderful women are also proprietors of La Botiga cafe at Mapleton – well worth a visit

Yandina Community Gardens (http://yandinacommunitygardens.com.au/)

• inspiring workshops every other Saturday morning that are FREE (get there early as they are super popular)
• chickens and fish that fill you up with inspiration
• plants and garden materials (including biochar) for sale
• great place to give some volunteering hours

Big Pineapple Markets (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-The-Big-Pineapple/281450748554366)

• lush markets every Saturday morning from 6:30 am
• need to shop mindfully – not everything is local and some things seem to have come from produce markets
• weeds and herbs stall is mind-blowing (take notes – you’ll never remember what you’ve bought once you get home)
• bio dynamic bananas from Wamuran that redefine sweetness and flavour

Green Harvest (http://www.greenharvest.com.au/)

• gardening books and suppliesseeds for microgreens and sprouting – compare prices with Eden Seeds though as I’ve found Eden to often be vastly cheaper

Eden Seeds and Select Organic (http://www.edenseeds.com.au/content/default.asp)

• semi-local (Gold Coast)sprouting and microgreen seeds – I am very happy with the seed viability and the range is great

Yandina Feed Barn (13 Farrell Street, Yandina, phone 5446 8611)

• molasses, natrakelp, natramin
• the intoxicating smell of lucerne hay
• the delight of cooing at chickens and guinea pigs