July News from Melbourne Community Farmers’ Markets

Some facts and figures for the end of financial year ...

In rough calculation, around 150,000 people support the community farmers’ market in Melbourne each year, so that’s well over 15 million dollars into the Victorian rural economy per annum. In addition, carparking and entry fees for the Children’s Farm and Abbotsford Convent contribute to projects which over the years are making a significant impact on the restoration and longevity of those not-for-profit ventures.

Organisation of the markets is straightforward which keeps administration to a minimum and costs down. Each group charges stallholders a base rate of $60 to attend and keeps fees for the market costs and their own local projects. They pay me, Miranda Sharp, aka Melbourne Community Farmers’ Markets, for my assistance in finding and co-ordinating the coming and goings of stallholders throughout the year, promotion, local council interaction and attending on market mornings to oversee the management of the market. We are all commited to the Victorian Farmers’ Market Association charter.

Our collective focus is to support as many regional family businesses as possible. In so doing we create an environment which puts every cent of effort back in their pocket, provides an opportunity for regional and urban communities to reconnect and recognises the extraordinary variety and quality of seasonal produce grown and made in Victoria. Around 350 stallholders come and go through the course of the year dependant on their seasons so the juggling is endless to accommodate their needs and the demands of their customers. Communication is of the utmost importance from the first contact to the gradual development of an ongoing commitment to the ethics of authentic farmers’ market.

Stallholders come from across Victoria and the basis of their attendance is that they grow the produce they bring to sell. This is the case with every stallholder selling fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy. In the case of value added foods, they have either grown it themselves, sourced their ingredients locally from their region or only attend only when there’s room.

So back to the markets...winter is the time to pare down the expectations and appreciate what’s available locally. And have you planted your veggies for Spring yet? Diggers Seeds, Kensington Gardens and the Collingwood Children’s Farm nursery are at the markets all winter and have a fantastic range of seedlings and seeds from their own propagation. It’s high time to plant broad beans, broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, spring onions. And don’t let the courtyard garden be your excuse; many vegetables are as decorative as the ornamentals in your garden.

Please don’t forget all the markets are plastic bag free so get into the swing and BYO!

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