Farmers markets vital for survival of small scale farming

More than 50 per cent of micro farmers are reliant on farmers markets as a direct source of income, a new survey has revealed.

Producers of high-value agriculture reliant on farmers’ markets for their income have called on industry and government to take their plight seriously, as the sector faces severe headwinds.

Victorian Farmers Market Association president Tim Walsh said small scale producers and stall holders were doing it particularly tough in regards to input costs, labour, burden of bureaucracy and red tape, as well as the shrinking pool of abattoirs catering for smaller numbers of stock.

“This issue does not just impact on farmers’ markets, it also impacts on paddock-to-plate producers, butchers, and the circular economy present in local and regional communities where these producers live and work,” he said.

Mr Walsh cited two recent government publications that identified a need for access to “secure and safe food supply in regional and local communities”, adding that farmers’ markets could “further contribute to resolving food insecurity with support from government across all levels”.

“Much of the funding and growth opportunities are scaled for large, commercialised enterprises with grants supplied at a scale and level where smaller producers (miss out),” he said.

A recent survey by Young Farmers Connect of 1000 small-scale producers found 216 were in Victoria with direct sales to consumers via farmers’ markets, farm stands and websites, the dominate income source for 56 per cent of those surveyed.

Yapunya Meadow Grazed Chickens owner Amanda McLaren, who has sold her pasture-raised chicken meat via farmers’ markets and direct to clients for 16 years, said there was “a lot of negative talk” around small scale producers.

“We’re still part of the same market, and you need us in the market,” Ms McLaren said.

“We have to abide by the same legislation. We don’t have big corporations behind us, we’re smaller families and we need to do everything to make sure we’re abiding by the meat act, the food safety act.”

Ms McLaren said micro producers didn’t have adequate representation at an industry level.

“Small scale artisanal agriculture employs people locally, it keeps provenance in our food chain, and we’re the people who keep chicken on the menu at some of the top restaurants.

“There’s room in the market for everyone.”

Simon Matthee, at his house bakery, Gisborne South. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Gisborne South’s Simon Matthee, who operates bespoke bakery The Millett Road Maker, said farmers’ markets were vital for his operation after moving from wholesale into markets five years ago. He uses the markets to both sell his own products and source local ingredients.

“My business would just cut in half without the farmers markets,” Mr Matthee said.
“It’s a real essential way to keep economies local.

“When you spend dollars local, they stay in the local area.”