For the past few years, Rosebank has been bursting at the seams with crowd-pulling arts and culture developments. The latest reason to swing by the suburb is to spend a leisurely morning at its youngest addition, The Pantry Market, located at art and design hub Keyes Art Mile. Held on the last Saturday of every month inside Trumpet’s atrium, The Pantry Market is a sophisticated food market curated by La Mano founder Roberta Thatcher. The focus is on fresh food to stock up your pantry. The hand-crafted small-batch produce is tended to by passionate, informed and incredibly helpful local suppliers who are eager to educate your palate.

Rosebank’s new The Pantry Market is a must-visit. Photo supplied.

“The Pantry Market is all about quality, so once a month you can stock your pantry with exceptional products that you can’t easily find at other markets or stores,” says Thatcher. “It’s also a plastic-free zone, which makes for guilt-free shopping, and every month we have a free educational talk on interesting food-related topics.”

Kula Organics, one of the vendors. Photo supplied.

Upon entry, you’re greeted by a stand selling irresistible breakfast buns that make for perfect companions on which to nibble as you stroll through the space filled with high-quality goods. Start by visiting Urban Apiary for honey. The beekeepers tend hives in Midrand and Houghton, and the contained beehive at their stand keeps customers hovering around. Buy one of their jars of honey or bring your own jar and have it filled.

Bacon and eggs from Esposito Natural Foods. Photo supplied.

Charcuterie is available from Esposito Natural Foods. The man himself, Franco Esposito, hails from Midrand and makes a turn at the market every month to sell his tasty goods made with acorn-fed pigs. Pick up some freshly cut blooms by Botanicus then enjoy dairy-free ice cream by Yococo, made using organic fruits and without preservatives and colourants. Spoil yourself with Dolci Café’s homemade pasta; Tonka Bean Bakery’s doughnuts, croissants and pastries; and Treviso Café’s sourdough bread made using only stone-ground flour, water, yeast and salt. Dolci Café also sells homemade pasta sauces, and offers customers discounts if you remember to bring back your jar.

Make sure to stock up on bread. Photo supplied.

“It’s becoming increasingly important for consumers to know where their food comes from and markets like this allow us to get to know our farmers and producers, shortening the supply chain and making it easier to become conscious, ethical shoppers,” says Thatcher.

Kula Organics, for example, sells organic produce and free-range eggs from local farmers within a 20km radius of each other in Joburg. For cold-pressed life-giving juices, try Juice My Roots and stop by Lorian’s Cheeses for artisan cheeses from around South Africa and ready-made cheese platters.

Catch the market at 19 Keyes Avenue in Rosebank on the last Saturday of every month.