Six years into my McGregor morning market "thang" after nagging from a couple of people, I started keeping count of marmalade sales. It's very hi-tech: a notebook, pencil and columns. The count began on 5 September 2019. Most sales happen at the market; all sales happen in McGregor, occasionally over the gate - which is how regular customers secured their marmalade fix during covid - and the odd local festival.
Production is all in my little kitchen which is not the only restriction: I do all the cutting and cooking, so have to be able to lift the pot, myself. That means small, kitchen batches of about 20 jars at a time.
That's a very long introduction to saying that yesterday, I went to the market with sales sitting at 998.
I mused here, about reaching the one thousand milestone, thinking it would happen at the end of this year. When I came home, this Saturday, sales sat at 1,010.
In words: one thousand and ten jars of marmalade in around 6 years. Yesterday's 12 was a record for one market and buyers were a mix of regulars, locals and visitors.
The best seller? The three fruit (grapefruit, lemon and orange) - I struggle to keep up. I thought, this year, I had made enough during citrus season, but looking at my stock after the market yesterday, I am not so sure.
I know I must make lemonchilli....
That must happen relatively soon, and before the apricot harvest which is likely in the next few weeks. Watch this space for chutney and jam. Both of which have been out of stock for a while...yes, my apricot source has already confirmed my "order"...
Then it will be plums...
Oh, and if you're wondering, I have now been doing the McGregor morning market for 12 years..
Until next time
Post script
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