10 of the best farmers’ markets in Victoria

Size is not as important as authenticity when it comes to choosing a great farmers’ market. Here are 10 of regional Victoria’s best options.

Vegetable grower Sandor Istella serving customers at Bendigo Community Farmers' Market. Picture: Zoe Phillips

From Warragul to Wangaratta, Myrtleford and Bendigo to Swan Hill there are regular farmers’ markets in the regions offering the freshest possible produce direct from local growers to customers.

Market frequency can vary from weekly to monthly and depending on the location may include fruit and vegetables, bread, preserves, food and even live music.

Victorian Farmers’ Markets Association executive officer Peter Kenyon said it was a great way to meet farmers and learn where your food came from.

“We have a lot of small scale producers doing remarkable things,” Peter said.

“There are many traders that don’t strive to have their product on a shelf in Shanghai. That is not their goal. Selling produce to appreciative local clientele is the bee’s knees and it is satisfying to have that deep connection with your customers.

“That includes not just fresh produce from farmers but specialty makers and value adding to farm product locally. There is an amazing synergy that happens with local farmers markets.”

Farmers’ markets provided an opportunity for farmers to sell direct and take full credit for their efforts but consumers should be aware that not all traders were authentic, Peter said.

Victorian Farmers’ Markets Association executive officer Peter Kenyon at the Lancefield Farmers' Market in Central Victoria.

The VFMA promoted more than 30 accredited markets around the state but the best way to guarantee produce was genuinely local was to speak directly with growers.

“Our accreditation standards at the VFMA are to ensure credibility but at the end of the day it is talking to the grower and increasing food literacy among the public,” Peter said.

“If you turn up at a farmers’ market and you see trays of mangoes from the tropics alongside trays of cherries that are cool climate, then that raises a few questions.”

The key principles of VFMA accredited farmers’ markets were that the producer had grown, reared, caught or processed the produce being offered for sale, and each stall was staffed by at least one person who had intimate knowledge of, and direct involvement with, the production process of items for sale.

Resellers of fruit and vegetables, re-packagers of food or drink, bric-a-brac stalls or art and craft where no clear farm origin was defined, were not permitted at VFMA accredited markets.

“There are a lot of little fruit shops on wheels but they can actually undermine local farmers,” he said.

“They buy below cost during the week and sell it over the weekend and genuine farmers can find it hard to compete. Those fruit shops on wheels also undermine local fruit shops.”

Peter said size was not as important as authenticity when it came to choosing a great farmers’ market.

“Farmers’ markets are the foundation stone for diversity, for ethical and regenerative farming systems in the food supply so consumers aren’t just consumers they are supporters and co-participants in a better food system,” Peter said.

“It’s about culture, connection to country, place, belonging, community. It is about relationships.”

Vegetable grower Sandor Istella serving customers at Bendigo Community Farmers' Market. Picture: Zoe Phillips

TEN OF THE BEST

CENTRAL VICTORIA AND GOLDFIELDS

Bendigo Community Farmers’ Market
2nd Saturday each month, 9am to 12:30pm
Every Thursday, 2pm to 4:30pm
Dai Gum San, Bendigo
bcfm.org.au

Castlemaine Farmers’ Market
1st Sunday each month, 9am to 1pm
Every Wednesday, 2:30pm to 5pm
Western Reserve Forest Street, Castlemaine
castlemainefarmersmarket.org

Woodend Farmers’ Market
1st Saturday each month, 9am to 1pm
High Street, Woodend

GIPPSLAND

Warragul Farmers’ Market
3rd Saturday each month, 8.30am to 1pm
Civic Park, Warragul
warragulfarmersmarket.com.au

MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Mt Eliza Farmers’ Market
4th Sunday each month, 9am to 1pm
Cnr Mt Eliza Way and Canadian Bay Rd, Mt Eliza
mtelizafarmersmarket.com.au

MURRAY REGION

Echuca Farmers’ Market
1st and 3rd Saturday each month, 8am to 12pm
Aquatic Reserve, Echuca

Swan Hill Farmers’ Market
1st Sunday each month, 8.30am to 12.30pm
Riverside Park, Swan Hill

NORTH EAST VICTORIA

Wangaratta Farmers’ Market
2nd Saturday each month, 8am to 12pm
Wangaratta
wangarattafarmersmarket.com.au

Myrtleford Farmers’ Market
4th Saturday each month, 8.30am to 12.30pm
The Piazza, Myrtleford
myrtlefordfarmersmarket.com.au

SOUTHWEST VICTORIA

South Geelong Farmers’ Market
1st and 3rd Sunday each month, 9am to 1pm
Geelong South Primary School, South Geelong