Adelaide Hills locals all set for growing opportunity with launch of first kids-run farmers’ market
Children of all ages are invited to get behind South Australia’s first kids-run farmers’ market to be held in the Adelaide Hills as part of Tasting Australia next month.
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They may be young, but Adelaide Hills kids are forging the way for a state-first initiative that will see green thumbs and tastebuds tested.
In what is hoped to become an annual event, the first Adelaide Hills Kids Farmers’ Market will be held during Tasting Australia on March 29 between 10am and 2pm, at Littlehampton’s Four Oaks Farm.
A first of its kind in South Australia, the event aims to showcase young local growers, cooks and gardening enthusiasts, while raising vital funds for bushfire-affected communities.
Event co-ordinator Nathan Rogers, who has been planning the event for the past eight months, said he was inspired by similar-run markets in Victoria, which had proven a great success.
“When I first put the idea out, it was to a woman who lives in Mount Barker and it was her daughter who was really excited about being involved,” Mr Rogers said.
“She was saving up all of her pocket money and they were going out to decide what plants they were going to get to sell.
“So when I heard that, I knew I couldn’t back out.”
Mr Rogers said around 10 school and community groups had signed up for the event so far, but hoped more would get involved.
Tori Arbon will also be running cooking demonstrations from her 2019 cookbook Magic Little Meals, while kids’ stories will be read by Adelaide Hills writer and illustrator Mandy Foot, creator of titles including the new Joey and Riley.
“I don’t want the market to be just about selling produce. I want kids to think outside the box to what they might be able to offer or sell on the day,” Mr Rogers said.
“I think it would be great, for example, to see some recycled items for sale.
“So kids may want to make bags out of pillowcases or similar.”
Lenswood Primary School principal Jess Moroney said getting behind the event was a no-brainer, with most of the school’s 55 students, in one way or another, affected by the Cudlee Creek fires.
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The school’s lesson plan also has a strong emphasis on food growing and production, with the majority of students hailing from farming backgrounds.
“When I heard about the event, I knew right away that it fit in beautifully with a lot of the things that we believe are important for ours kids here,” Mr Moroney said.
“We want our kids to learn, right from the start, that you can grow a produce and service the market, while also giving back to the community.
“As a fairly high percentage of students come form apple orchids, we’re looking at doing apple crushing at the event, which the kids are really excited about.
“It lets them showcase something they are really proud of.”