Cole kids’ smashing pumpkins and raspberry jam big hits at Hobart’s Farm Gate Market

A TRIP to the big smoke paid off in spades for the budding farmers of Cressy’s Tole family.

Tole siblings from Cressy L-R Georgie 6, Charlie 9, Phoebe 7. The siblings have grown pumpkins and berries to make jam at their parents farm and have just started a have a stall at the Farm Gate Market in Hobart.

A TRIP to the big smoke paid off in spades for the budding farmers of Cressy’s Tole family.

Charlie, 9, Phoebe, 7, and Georgie, 6, came to town with a load of farm-fresh pumpkins and jams which were a big hit at yesterday’s Hobart Farm Gate Market.

Charlie’s patient tending of a crop of pumpkins in a corner of his dad’s farm and Pheobe’s hard work making jam from raspberries she helped grow and harvest made the trip a great success, said their father Robbie Tole.

“Charlie’s been growing now for four years. This is second year at the market. He had a total of 386 pumpkins this year,” Mr Tole said.

“We had a very successful day today, we took very few pumpkins home and Pheobe sold all her jams.”

Mr Tole and his wife Eliza took a back seat as the children ran the stall, chatting with customers, making sales and learning about what it’s like to be in business for themselves.

He said the day at the market provided a good opportunity to learn some very practical lessons.

“It’s critical for them to know where their food is grown and to be involved in it, and to take the produce to market and to learn the business side of things,” Mr Tole said.

Farm Gate Market market manager Maddie Peattie said the market was a great opportunity for producers of all ages to sell their wares.

“The Farm Gate Market are keen to encourage the next generation of Tasmanian farmers and welcome children to apply for a stall,” Ms Peattie said.

As for Mr Tole, he reckons after a successful year, Charlie might be looking to expand his plot.

“He might have to ask for a bit more ground!” he said.

Hobart’s Farm Gate Market in held in Bathurst St from 8.30am-1pm every Sunday.