The local market scene has grown in leaps and bounds in recent years – so much so that every couple of weeks we hear of new ones springing up all around the country. (Do you know about the brand new market at the V&A Waterfront that opened at the beginning of this month?). Earlier this year we crowned the best of the best in the Eat In DStv Food Network Produce Awards*. To help you plan your weekend shopping, check out the list of winners below.

Best market: North Pretoria Boeremark  
This old-fashioned market focuses on fresh produce sold by the farmers themselves. All market profit goes back into local agriculture. Pick up the finest artisan cheese; the best boerewors in the region; flowers ranging from giant proteas to fragrant sweet peas; traditional fare like pap en kaaings, melkkos and crackling; and a selection of Italian breads.

Best market: East The Food Market
Emma Dunk, Nick Papadopoulos, Eric Edwards and Karen Brokensha established this market in 2009 and have turned it into a hot spot for local produce. They stock food and produce from KwaZulu-Natal exclusively. Our reviewers raved about delicious fudge, character biscuits, wild boar and game products, and addictive baked German specialities. Also make sure to try the new stands like the fishmonger from the North Coast, the sausage stand, and the cold cuts stand.

Best market: South Wild Oats  
This 12-year-old community market places a strong emphasis on local produce and aims to increase awareness of the need to support the area’s farmers and home-based producers. 70 stallholders sell a wide range of produce. Look out for the free-range meat from Fernbank Farm; free-range chicken from Kitwama Farm; naturally farmed blueberries from Bright Berries Farm; and award-winning cheese, yoghurt and butter from Gansvlei Dairy. Feeling peckish? Refuel with an eggs Benedict breakfast at The Coddled Egg and pick up some pastries at Ma’s Patisserie.

Best outlet: North Braeside Butchery  
For the past 14 years Caroline McCann has been putting the emphasis on local, grass-fed beef and secondary cuts, promoting an eco-friendly nose-to-tail approach. The butchery has just launched a range of Kobe-style beef cuts, with some fabulous unusual cuts such as Kobe sashimi and spale bone (a tasty cut taken from the top of the foreleg). Also look out for the free-range Cornish game hens. We hear Caroline is doing a range of gammons this festive season, made with free-range pork and her own glazes, including traditional cherry and gingerbeer.

Best outlet: East Piggly Wiggly  
Taste your way through the fantastic range of locally made cheeses and olives before you make your selection at Rudi Kassier’s deli and farm stall. There’s also a large wine cellar that stocks over 700 labels, including some KZN-grown wines and the store’s very own label grown on the property. Also on offer are locally made jams and preserves, quiches, and breads. We hear they’ll be opening up an alfresco pizza area in December, where kids (and adults) will be able to make their own pizzas.

Best outlet: South Ocean’s Edge in Sea Point  
This smart store takes service up a notch with its modern approach, serving everything that Mother Nature throws at them. You’ll find a wide variety of fresh seafood such as hake, rainbow trout, angelfish, oysters and mussels here, as well as frozen Norwegian salmon. They’re also fully kosher.

*From 2013, the awards will be known as the Eat Out DStv Food Network Produce Awards. Nominate your favourite stores and markets, as well as your favourite producers in a host of other categories.