Flavour Report with Derek Goforth: Testing the meals, produce, fruit and veggies from the Midwest Fresh Market

When I was a child back in the 1970s in the north of England the only place my mum would shop was our local corner shop. But as I grew up and the world got bigger and faster, the corner shop was gradually replaced by the supermarket and the big-name, multi-billion dollar, faceless corporations. Gone were the days of local produce, a friendly shopkeeper, and bargains on locally made food items. But, as my recent visit to the Midwest Fresh Market proves, not all the values and benefits of the corner shop have completely disappeared. For this week’s Flavour Report, I did not head to a takeaway, cafe, or restaurant; instead I went to a market. Not just any old market, but the newly opened Midwest Fresh Market in Bluff Point. Conveniently situated on Chapman Road and with ample parking, the market is perfectly positioned to serve not just the north of our city but also anyone willing to travel for fresh produce, locally made meals and friendly service. The young man serving me was fast and efficient and also offered me some insights into the market’s origin and the local food it stocked. The Fresh Market supplies your basics, but so does every other supermarket. Fresh Market goes beyond that with its commitment to stocking local goods from the Mid West and beyond. Along with this, they also make some of their own meals and sell them at a reasonable price. On our visit we opted for some fresh sushi, Pad Thai, and a couple of local products, namely cheeses and honey. We also stocked up on some fresh fruit and veggie items, and I can assure you the “fresh” in Midwest Fresh Market is certainly accurate. Not only do they stock your regular apples and cauliflowers (at a decent price) but they also have a great selection of Asian veggies, such as bitter melon, Chinese broccoli and a variety of exotic mushrooms. Yes I know there are a few places that do offer this variety, but it’s great to have this option now in Bluff Point. At just over the $40 mark and considering the quality and what we got, we felt it presented decent value for money. The highlight had to be the Pad Thai, which was packed with flavour. The dish would not be out of place in any Thai restaurant I’m sure. The honey was divine, as a spread and added to some biscuits we made. And the cheese, although not made just around the corner, was a great addition to our crackers. The sushi was nice, but to be honest, we have had fresher and better in Geraldton. Would I recommend it Midwest Fresh Market? Absolutely, yes, both for a last-minute purchase of essentials and as a pitstop for a last-minute meal idea. Midwest Fresh Market presents a really good alternative to some of the bigger shops in the region.