AFMA CHAIR’S REPORT 2019
The AFMA Chair’s Report 2019 is available here:
AUSTRALIAN FARMERS MARKETS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT-2
Harvest Launceston Farmers Market UTAS Report
Harvest Launceston, one of Australia’s award-winning farmers’ markets gets the tick of health in a new report from UTAS academics.
The industry report titled Community, culture and value: An exploration of Harvest Launceston farmers’ market polled stallholders and shoppers and their findings are extremely positive. Shoppers average Saturday market spend was $51 and they are prepared to pay more for locally grown produce, and for the convivial market shopping experience. Produce quality and access were also rated highly.
Stallholders cited benefits including brand awareness, 44% noting that marketing and consumer outreach was a primary reason for their participation.
The report authors, Maria Belen Yanotti and Laura Ripoli Gonzalez also examined the market’s contribution to cultural value, education, community building and tourism.
More information please contact: Laura Ripoli Gonzalez, UTAS
laura.ripoligonzalez@utas.edu.au
Harvest Launceston, every Saturday morning.
AUSTRALIA’S OUTSTANDING FARMERS MARKET 2019
Drum roll and loud clapping for WILLUNGA FARMERS’ MARKET (SA) announced as Australia’s Most Outstanding Farmers’ Market at the 2019 DELICIOUS Produce Awards.
Established in 2002 it has traded every Saturday since and has become a healthy farm to fork shopping habit for local farmers, artisan food producers and shoppers.
Congratulations too to the two finalist markets: MARGARET RIVER FARMERS’MARKET (WA) and MULLUMBIMBY FARMERS” MARKET (NSW)
FARMERS MARKET FINALISTS IN DELICIOUS PRODUCE AWARDS 2019 ANNOUNCED
Drum roll and congratulations for the three finalist markets in the DELICIOUS PRODUCE AWARDS 2019:
Mullumbimby Farmers’ Market (NSW)
Margaret River River Farmers’ Market (WA)
Willunga Farmers’ Market (SA)
This trio set best practice standards for farmers’ markets nationally and are integral to their communities.
The winning market will be announced at the Delicious Produce Awards 2019 on 19 August in Sydney.
SETTING UP A REAL FARMERS MARKET?
AFMA has published a FACT SHEET to encourage the evolution of authentic farmers’ markets. It is a useful resource for market operators seeking to realign their market to the AFMA Model Rules or new-start markets wishing to establish a genuine farmers’ market.
Download the free FACT SHEET
2019 DELICIOUS PRODUCE AWARDS – NOMINATIONS OPEN
Margaret River Farmers Market, Winner 2018.
CALLING NOMINATIONS FOR AUSTRALIA’S OUTSTANDING FARMERS’ MARKET
Delicious Magazine Produce Awards 2019 are seeking contenders for Australia’s Most Outstanding Farmers’ Market… a vibrant and engaging community-focused farmers’ market that displays ‘true authenticity’.
‘True authenticity’ is evaluated based on the following definition: ‘A Farmers’ Market is a predominantly fresh food market that operates regularly within a community, at a focal public location that provides a suitable environment for farmers and specialty food producers to sell farm-origin and associated value-added specialty foods for human consumption directly to customers.’ Definition sourced from the Australian Farmers’ Markets Association.
Please note: An authentic farmers’ market excludes resellers, and arts and craft goods, unless made on-farm from farm origin product.
Entry is via application. Completed applications must be returned by the deadline to be considered for entry. The deadline for 2019 entries is 5:00pm AEDT on Friday 5 April 2019.
The 2019 Outstanding Farmers’ Market application form can be found here. <https://goo.gl/forms/Z4qk5D7xIZqOPMRo1>
The finalists for the 2019 Outstanding Farmers’ Market award will be announced in June 2019 and the national trophy winner will be announced at the awards event in August 2019.
AFMA Chairman’s Report 2018
The Australian Farmers’ Markets Association (AFMA) was founded in 2003 and continues to advocate and represent the vibrant farmers’ market sector nationally. Farmers’ markets are a vital link in Australia’s food chain and contribute to farmers, and rural and regional economies; and to the health of countless families shopping for fresh seasonal food direct from the growers and artisan food producers.
The Chairman’s Report was presented at the recent 2018 AFMA AGM.
FARMERS’ MARKET SHOPPING COSTS RESEARCHED
Griffith University and the NSW Local Health District in the Northern Rivers region have collaborated to research regional food shopping habits and the costs of basic fresh foods at farmers’ markets versus other food stores and supermarkets. The initial findings may surprise you….
The representative seasonal food baskets point strongly to the fact that local fruit and veg shopped direct from the grower may be the cheapest way to shop…it’s certainly the freshest. 
Read more here:
FARMERS’ MARKETS FEATURE IN HARVEST TRAIL REPORT
Delve into the #HarvestTrailReport2018 launched today by the Fair Work Ombudsman and you will discover one statistic that should spark the serious attention of all farmers’ market managers and stallholders.
The report claims supermarkets are rivaled by farmers’ markets as a preferred food shopping option – if time wasn’t an issue. The research states 14% of shoppers are regulars at farmers’ markets, but…
‘When asked where people would shop if time wasn’t an issue, every shopping venue increased apart from supermarkets, which fell from 91% to 64%. Greengrocers increased from 34% to 58% and farmers’ markets from 14% to 57%! ’
So all we need now is to make more time, grab the trolley and head on down to a local farmers market!
www.fairwork.gov.au
MARKET WASTE MANAGEMENT FACT SHEET LAUNCHED
Reducing waste matters. And farmers’ markets can lead the way! Simple steps can make a big impact. Whether you sell or shop at a farmers’ market do what you can to reduce food, packaging and other waste on market day!
The Australian Farmers’ Markets Association (AFMA) MARKET WASTE MANAGEMENT FACT SHEET is now available as a Free Download from https://farmersmarkets.org.au/market-waste-management-fact-sheet-launched
