RELATED STORY: Fresh idea for market
THE working group investigating the feasibility of a farmers’ market for Swan Hill has held its first meeting.
Swan Hill’s Economic Development Unit is exploring the idea of a regular farmers’ market and has appointed 15 people from the community to explore the idea.
The venture came after an $8500 grant from the state government made a feasibility study possible.
The Swan Hill Region Farmers’ Market Steering Committee, headed by Councillor Jessie Kiley, met earlier this week to start the ball rolling.
Cr Kiley said it had been a successful meeting of minds and that everyone was positive about the idea.
The committee is made up of producers, community members, Wakool Shire residents and representatives from other groups.
“It was a very successful meeting and there was a good vibe,” Cr Kiley said.
While larger growers may not find the venture viable, Cr Kiley said smaller farms had expressed interest.
“These kinds of farmers’ markets are their main market,” she said.
The committee hopes to work around the other markets held in the area — in Nyah, Koondrook-Barham, Murrabit and other towns — and expand on what they were doing.
“We have said that we would work in with what their dates were and complement what they do,” Cr Kiley said.
Some have expressed concern about the threat the Swan Hill farmers’ market might pose to other markets, but Ms Kiley said there was no reason to worry.
“We want to work with those groups, not detriment them, and enhance our region as a place where you can get fresh produce,” she said.
“We’re in the heart of the food growing region for Australia.”
The market would be a specific farmers’ market and differ from other markets in the area, reducing the potential for direct competition, Cr Kiley said.
The success of other markets inspired the committee, most notably the acclaimed Koondrook-Barham Farmers’ Market.
“People are much more aware of the advantages of buying local now,” she said.
The feasibility period is due for completion by the end of the year but Cr Kiley said they planned to be done by September.
