2019 DELICIOUS PRODUCE AWARDS – NOMINATIONS OPEN

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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

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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.

2018 AFMA AGM Chair report

 

FARMERS’ MARKET SHOPPING COSTS RESEARCHED

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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:

https://farmersmarkets.org.au/wp-content/uploads/farmers-markets-research-report-2018-executive-summary-infographic.pdf

FARMERS’ MARKETS FEATURE IN HARVEST TRAIL REPORT

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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

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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

DELICIOUS 2018 AWARD FOR MARGARET RIVER FARMERS MARKET

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Drum roll and fanfare for Australia’s Most Outstanding Farmers Market… Margaret River Farmers’ Market winner at #DeliciousProduceAwards2018. Congrats to market manager Kat Lombardo, the passionate producers and supportive ‘Margs’ community.

Serious clapping too for finalists Willunga Farmers Market and Slow Food Melbourne Farmers’ Market at Abbotsford Convent

Thanks to delicious. Australia for supporting authentic farmers markets, farmers and Australian artisan food producers.

Find your nearest farmers market www.farmersmarkets.org.au

SOUTH-WEST WA FOOD COMMUNITY CALL-OUT

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Does your work involve supporting healthy food availability, access and use in the Western Australia ‘South West’ region? South West Food Community is a new project which aims to understand the current initiatives supporting food security in the region. A comprehensive mapping of these local initiatives is currently underway, which involves participating in an interview or focus group. We are keen to capture as many initiatives that exist in the South West region. If you would like us to include your South West initiative, or to find out more about the project, please contact s.godrich@ecu.edu.au <mailto:s.godrich@ecu.edu.au>
   

DELICIOUS 2018 PRODUCE AWARDS FINALISTS

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Drum roll for the three Farmers’ Market finalists in the delicious. Australia 2018 #produceawards:
* Abbotsford Convent Farmers’ Market (by Slow Food Melbourne) (VIC)
* Margaret River Farmers’ Market (WA)
* Willunga Farmers Market (SA)

All are terrific contenders and exponents of authentic farmers’ markets that support local farmers and their communities.
Winner of Australia’s Outstanding Farmers’ Market will be announced in mid-August!

AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC EXAMINES ‘IN SEASON’ NEW FARMING

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AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC Magazine examines ‘new’ trends in Australian farming and food production – which of course include farmers’ markets!

 

Click here to read all about it!

New farming

GREAT BAKERS CHANCE TO RISE & SHINE

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Fremantle Media producers of the TV series THE GREAT AUSTRALIA BAKE-OFF are casting the next series and are looking for talented bakers. Dab hands with pies, pastries, crusty loaves, cookies and cakes all count.

So if you make and sell baked goods in a farmers’ market – or know shoppers who are keen on flour power and fancy their baking talent, suggest they check out the casting process. Applications close end February.

 

More details: http://www.bakeoff.castasugar.com