PIC called market
By Jim Mynard
TRADERS reported a good start to the first midweek farmers market held at Max Pawsey Reserve, Narre Warren, last Thursday.
Despite heavy rain for the inaugural market, hundreds of residents braved the elements to sample fresh produce directly from growers.
Casey mayor Kevin Bradford congratulated the council’s managing agent for the market, the Rotary Club of Berwick.
Cr Bradford thanked the club for taking up the ongoing management of the market as a community project.
“It is terrific that Rotary has accepted the ongoing challenge of holding a regular farmers’ market, which was raised as a concept during the 2004 Casey and Cardinia Regional Agricultural Audit.
“The council strongly supports access to fresh and healthy food and Casey Farmers’ Market will now be the first mid week Farmers’ Market in Melbourne operating twice a month on Thursdays to give shoppers an opportunity to stock up with farm fresh produce before the weekend.”
The Rotary Club of Berwick will run the market on first and third Thursday of each month from 9am to 1pm.
The club appointed Rotarian Geoff Rankin as the manager responsible for the coordination and running of the market.
Mr Rankin said the Casey market was a special objective in helping to educate the young, in particular, of the health benefits of eating fresh nutritional food.
“All funds raised by Rotary from the management of the market will be donated back to the community.
“Don’t miss our next market which will be on Thursday 6 April.”
Mr Rankin said the Casey Farmers’ Market had strict guidelines as to who could be a stallholder.
“Those appointed have been hand selected by market management on the basis of farm fresh nutritional food and variety.” of products they bring to the market.
“We have around 25 stallholders and will build up to a maximum of 50 as the range of products is extended.
“Products for sale at the market will include locally grown fresh fruit, vegetables, farmed barramundi, lamb, beef, free range poultry and eggs, jams, cheese, olive
oil, herb and vegetable seedlings.”
Mr Rankin said he was appreciative of strong support from the City of Casey.
He said he received considerable help from Casey agribusiness officer Barrie Pickersgill and the events team as well as the Max Pawsey Reserve Committee of Management.
