Market Review: Oranjezicht City Farm Market Day, Granger Bay
As the Oranjezicht City Farm Market Day is ideal for all ages – and even well-behaved, leashed pups – it makes for an excellent outing. In this post, I share a bit about my previous visits to the beloved OZCF market.
Since June 2015, the Oranjezicht City Farm (OZCF) Market, a popular local market in the Mother City, has called Granger Bay home. This popular Cape Town market runs every weekend (Saturday, 08:15 am – 14:00 pm and Sunday, 09:00 am – 2pm) as the full market. While on Wednesday nights, they also have a limited, seasonal market available from 17:00 – 21:00 pm, November to March.
Free, Family-friendly Market Fun at Oranjezicht City Farm Market Day
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As a country girl and someone who loves attending markets, when I first visited this market in October 2015, I was drawn by the prospect of an organic, health-food market. It’s central location, which has lovely ocean- and city-views, is another huge blessing to Capetonians and in particular, to ‘CBD dwellers’.
Plus, the goods on offer are all of a noticeably high standard. They are prepared, harvested and finally, marketed with evident love and passion – and the market’s atmosphere is a wonderfully relaxed, peaceful and fun one.
The best part about the OZCF Market Day? Entrance is free; the prices are certainly reasonable (even for students); the venue is superb and lastly, the MyCiti Bus services (see their website for routes) and V&A-owned parking ensure easy access to the market.
Background of the OZCF
The OZCF Market is, first and foremost, a sustainable community, farmer-style market that caters “for independent local farmers and artisanal food producers.” What’s more, the beautiful, organic Oranjezicht City Farm is financed through OZCF Market Day funds.
This local market not only provides Capetonians with fresh, healthy food (in many instances, food is vegetarian- and vegan-friendly or wheat-, gluten-, sugar- and dairy-free) and creates awareness for organic farming and food – but it also provides community upliftment and togetherness, while supporting passionate local entrepreneurs and local job creation.
According to the excellent www.ozcf.co.za, the market’s focus is on: “…local, fresh, seasonal, healthy vegetables, fruit, herbs and other primary food items (honey, olive oil, eggs, bread, meats, etc.), as well as seeds, seedlings, plants, fertilisers, and other nursery-related items, with a small amount of hand-made food and drink on offer. The market does not trade in lifestyle, fashion, health, beauty, craft or other items.”
So, although I had a rough idea of what goodies and raw foods to expect before visiting back in the day, I was nevertheless surprised by the plethora of both raw- and cooked-food options.
A Picture-perfect Market Setting in Granger Bay
In 2015, the market was originally meant to return to its former location (‘Zille Villa’, Helen Zille’s official Leeuwenhof residence) – but, due to the additional parking available and this venue’s obvious customer-friendliness, they stuck with this Granger Bay setting.
The venue is indeed the perfect location, for, you have the beautiful, mostly glass Lookout venue to your right and the expansive parking lot to your left. As you get closer, the first of three loosely linked marquees come into vision and the spectacular Cape Town Stadium looms just behind.
Also, on your right towards the ocean, there is shrubbery, palm trees and gorgeous, vibrant flowering wildflowers framing the horizon, with the occasional sail boat bobbing on the waters. If the weather is as fair, you are in for a proper treat, especially if an ocean breeze drifts through the venue.
Straw Bales and Eye-catching Marketing
On both of my market visits in recent years, the market has always had eye-catching, cutesy signage and fun straw bales for a country feel. Clearly, both market organisers and stall owners give a lot of added thought to the marketing aspect. The result? Catchy, endearing and thought-provoking signs that work!
As you approach the gate, the first of the stalls begin – and as you step inside the cool, yet pleasantly airy confines of the first marquee, the relaxed, yet buzzing atmosphere hits you.
Personally, for me, this was the first market I ever attended that felt like a typically British country market, though with the classic South African twist! I can imagine myself transported to some quiet, little place overseas until I step back out into the hot sunshine and encounter the gorgeous ocean- and mountain-views again.
One thing I really love about the market were the communal tables and varied stalls found throughout the interior, with the different coloured tablecloths, interesting showpieces and signage.
Soak up the Sights, Sounds and Smells of the OZCF Market
Whenever I visit this market, I am reminded anew of just how much there is to take in. Not least of all the plants, baskets and cheerful decorations that hang from the top of the canopies – but also the wide range of local produce, food and drink offerings and fresh flowers.
While the Oranjezicht City Farm Market has wonderful, sheltered indoor seating, I especially love the outdoor area. This offers additional tables and seating, especially for large groups, and even has ‘Suggestions’ and ‘This Market Inspires Me To…’ boards for you to leave comments or notes on. It’s a nice touch from the organisers and again, shows their evident care.
Food, Glorious Market Food
Some of the local cooked and/or baked delicacies on offer include things like:
- free-range eggs and meat;
- insecticide-free lemons;
- jams, jellies and preserves (all of which were attractively bottled or packaged);
- natural teas;
- prickly pears/cactus pears;
- dried fruit and nuts;
- all kinds of breads and cheeses;
- cakes, truffles, brownies, cupcakes, tarts, mini-desserts and macaroons (many of the baked goods are famously sugar-, wheat- or gluten-free, while others cater for Banting diets);
- samoosas and pies;
- almond milk and fresh, squeezed juices;
- spreads and homemade hummus;
- Karoo olive oil;
- cream and dairy products;
- pitas, ‘bun-less’ burgers, wraps, stirfry dishes, baked meals, quiches and salad options;
- rooibos expressos and cappuccinos;
- different croissants and Danish pastries;
- bobotie, breakfast rolls, French toast and fritters;
- Thai fish cakes and Vietnamese rolls to list some of the endless array of food and drink options available (when I visited).
In general, the prices vary but overall, there are some great deals to be found. What’s more, market goods are of the highest quality.
On Whether Any of the Market Food and Drink is Halaal
After my first visit in 2015, I asked Sheryl Ozinsky – one of Oranjezicht City Farm’s founding members – if the market caters for the Muslim community in terms of Halaal* cuisine and she has previously said: “We have Halaal Samoosas and mince pies at the market (currently). Some of our healthy cake offerings are also Halaal. We used to have halal curries and bobotie – but it doesn’t do so well in the heat and this trader is not with us any longer.”
Fresh Produce Second to None
Perhaps the market’s best feature, though, is the fresh, raw fruit and vegetables one can purchase here. It’s a grocery shopping experience like no other.
This market carefully transforms what can often be a menial or tiresome schlep into a fun, rewarding experience. This is especially true when shoppers consider that they are helping to promote a green, sustainable and healthy initiative that everyone living in and around the Mother City can benefit from.
When I browse the produce, I love admiring everything from the bright orange carrots to the emerald spinach and decorative- and scrunchy-looking kale!
There is an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and so much more at your disposal!
I also really love the African-esque copper bowls and wooden baskets that the produce lies in and how the tables are beautifully decorated with cheery tablecloths and blooming flower vases.
How to Shop for Fresh Produce at OZCF
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When I visited previously, this was how to shop at an OZCF fresh produce table:
1. Select a shopping basket;
2. Choose your produce;
3. Ask a volunteer to weigh the goods that need weighing and to determine your basket value;
4. Transfer produce to your own basket;
5. Proceed to ‘check-out’ with volunteer.
More on the Oranjezicht City Farm Market
During my visits, everywhere I looked, I saw people happily chatting, eating, shopping or simply browsing. Everyone always seems to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Some of the comments overheard include: “I come here to stock up on healthy everything and I connect with all my friends. It’s great, it brings us together in such an easy way” and, in reference to rainbow kale and plantain, “Believe it or not, there’s food here that I’ve never seen before.”
Note: Though the market is both child- and dog-friendly, there is a list of requirements for dog owners to follow. These include: keeping your dog(s) on a short leash; ensuring they do not touch produce, foods or plants; keeping dogs under control; ensuring dogs are friendly to children and other visitors; and lastly, cleaning up after them using the provided clean-up bags.
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Overall, the OZCF Market Day gets a well-deserved 10/10 rating (I honestly cannot fault anything about it). I will definitely continue to spread the word about this wonderful market! 
It really is such a treat for visitors and a must if you are in the Mother City.
Many thanks to Sheryl Ozinsky and www.ozcf.co.za for the additional information used and/or quoted in this post.
Contact Information
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For more information on the OZCF Market, please see their website: www.ozcf.co.za. Alternatively, you can email them: market@ozcf.co.za or contact Sheryl directly on: (083) 628 3426.
You can visit the market at Granger Bay Boulevard, Granger Bay, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. (The OZCF market is located next to The Lookout Event Venue.)
You can also find and follow the OZCF Market on Facebook and Instagram.
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