Eastern Victoria MP Johan Scheffer, market organiser Deb Pintur, Janos Barabas selling free-range eggs, and mayor Colin Butler at the inaugural Pearcedale Farmers’ Market.
By Sarah Schwager
THE first Pearcedale Farmers’ Market was a raging success on Saturday as people from far and wide came to sample some of Pearcedale’s finest.
A year ago, in an effort to support local farmers, the Pearcedale Community Centre Committee sparked a vote for a farmers’ market to benefit the growth of the quiet little town.
Market spokeswoman and local farmer Shona Crawford said the group simply wanted to provide locals with fresh produce.
“When the actual stallholder is the grower, it allows the public to have one-on-one interaction,” Ms Crawford said.
“This helps the public to recognise that they are supporting the ‘local Aussie farmer’, giving them confidence that they are getting the right information straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.”
The Pearcedale Community Centre Committee worked hard this year developing the market and lobbying government and industry bodies, as well as finding strong local council support, until the first market was finally set to go.
And those who turned up in perfect spring weather on Saturday were not disappointed.
Local products included vegetables, eggs, herbs, cheese, plants, flowers, strawberries, bread and jams from local and regional areas.
There was twice the excitement on the day as Eastern Victoria MP Johan Scheffer announced a $20,000 State Government grant.
The market was the first to be funded under Regional Development Victoria’s new Farmers’ Markets Program.
The market will run on the third Saturday of each month, come rain, hail or shine, from 8am to 1pm at the Pearcedale Community Centre, 710 Baxter-Tooradin Road, Pearcedale.
Call Shona Crawford on 5978 6620 for information.
