DIRECT contact with customers at a farmers’ market would be invaluable promotion, according to a local berry producer.
Farm Gate’s Jeff Sibley said market stalls were an important part of his Lake Boga business and one in Swan Hill would be a welcome addition to the community.
A feasibility study proposing to do just that was presented to council last week.
It assessed the potential for a monthly farmers’ market in Swan Hill finding it would be a viable venture.
Selling strawberries and raspberries, as well as other stonefruit and grape produce brought in from Tresco, Mr Sibley said an accredited farmers’ market at Swan Hill would not only offer growers a chance to sell produce, but also enhance communication and education between seller and buyer.
“We are one of the largest fruit growing regions in Victoria, and you look at other places like Mildura which has a very successful [farmers’ market], Echuca, Koondrook-Barham, so I think to not have a farmers’ market seems wrong,” Mr Sibley said.
For more on this story, pick up a copy of Friday’s Guardian (February 27).
