Knowing where your food comes from can help you eat healthier and more mindfully. Plus, how much nicer is when you know who grows or sources the ingredients you put on your plate? It’s one of the reasons we love our weekly Farmer’s Market. Not only can you shop for high quality, local produce, but you can also meet the faces behind the food. Even a quick chat with a local farmer or supplier will reveal how passionate and dedicated they are to what they do.
In this Meet Your Farmer series, we’re taking a closer look at our regular Farmer’s Market stallholders, some of whom have been with us for decades! These are local farmers, growers, suppliers and makers who all share a love for their local community and a passion for sustainable, regenerative practices.
This week we’re getting to know Lisa Cowley from Kombination Seafoods, a local legend who has been selling fresh wild-caught seafood at Perth City Farm for seven years.
“We have the best Seafood in the world and if I can just do my small bit in my business to keep a small amount here, support local fishermen and present to my customers weekly and consistently fresh local produce, then I’m very happy.”
Fresh, wild caught seafood direct from local fishermen
Under the name Kombination Seafoods, Lisa sells fresh and frozen local WA seafood direct from local fishermen. She also sells a few products from outside of WA where there are no local farmers. At the moment, these include South Australian Oysters and Mussels, Fresh NZ King Salmon and Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon.
Providing customers with the freshest products possible is hugely important to Lisa. This means Fridays are a busy day for her preparing for a weekend of Farmer’s Markets.
“We cut fresh every Friday and only sell that produce on that Saturday and Sunday. We vac pack the product immediately after it’s cut so it retains its ultimate freshness. This is a point of difference from other Fishmongers / Retail outlets as most freeze or don’t know their own produce very well.”
Lisa loves selling at farmer’s markets because of the personal connections it allows. And as regular farmer’s markets customers ourselves, we love being able to quiz her on how to cook the products or yummy recipes to try.
An interview with Lisa from Kombination Seafoods
We asked Lisa about her journey to selling local seafood and what keeps her motivated and passionate.
Perth City Farm: How did it all start?
Lisa: I grew up deep sea fishing around Rotto and down south in Walpole with my family from a very young age. My dad was passionate about local seafood and catching our own produce like Prawns from the Swan River, Crabs from Mandurah or Cockles from the Sandbars in Walpole inlet etc… every holiday was focused around fishing!
I then worked in the Seafood and Foodservice industry for 15+ years… I was exporting a lot of Prawns/Scallops and I became more and more passionate about locals enjoying more quality local produce at home.
We have the best Seafood in the world and if I can just do my small bit in my business to keep a small amount here, support local fishermen and present to my customers weekly and consistently fresh local produce, then I’m very happy.
Perth City Farm: How important is earth-care in the way you run your business?
Lisa: I make sure I educate myself on where every line I supply is from and I familiarise myself with the fishermen or farmer to get the most accurate information about the product to pass onto my customer. It’s important they know where their produce is from and how it was sourced.
I’m very passionate about being honest and treating people how I would want to be treated. And I’m pedantic about ensuring my products are the most ethical and sustainable available and I pass on that information to my customers.
Perth City Farm: What’s it like being at the Farmer’s Market at Perth City Farm? You’ve been with us for seven years… what is it that keeps you with us?
Lisa: We are like one big family. The most amazing, hardworking, honest and supportive people I have ever met. They are equally passionate about their produce and customers. Working alongside local farmers, I can support and understand their practices more as well as gain a greater appreciation of our local produce.
Perth City Farm: Why does “local” matter to you?
Lisa: I’m very passionate about supporting the hard work and livelihood of our local farmers & fishermen and keeping as much local produce here. We have very unique quality produce here in Western Australia, and I believe we should do everything we can in understanding where it comes from, how it’s farmed or fished and supporting the people that put the hard work into producing it. Our health relies on that, and I feel it’s paramount to educate as many people as possible about how much better the produce at Farmers Markets is.
Perth City Farm: What are the biggest challenges to being a local trader?
Lisa: I run the business solo, so it has many challenges! Being diligent about sourcing the finest quality produce, price increases, lack of support from government or local councils, finding reliable staff, the Kombi not breaking down… again! Working through sickness, not able to take any holidays… The list continues, but if you love what you do like I do, the passion outweighs the challenges.
Where to find Lisa
Find Lisa and her iconic kombi van at Perth City Farm Farmer’s Market every Saturday morning and Fremantle Farmer’s Market every Sunday morning. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram for a weekly list of what she’s selling.
Find out more about our Farmer’s Market and follow our Facebook and Instagram for a weekly list of stallholders. Hope to see you at the Farm soon.