Hot reception for midweek market

By Jim Mynard
STARTING a midweek market at Max Pawsey Reserve, Narre Warren, just before winter had to be a gamble for the Rotary Club of Berwick.
However, the club’s number came up and the market has been declared a success as it moves into spring weather.
Stallholders travel to Narre Warren from as far away as Stratford and Rawson and the market provides healthy fresh food for buyers.
Casey Farmers’ Market manager Geoff Rankin said experienced growers and stallholders advised the Rotary Club of Berwick to delay the market launch until the start of the high season for outdoor fresh produce markets.
Mr Rankin said this was considered to be from October to April when the weather was warmer and when produce products were at their seasonal best.
“They said customers did not come in the cold, wet weather and unless you had an established market and a regular customer base that would come rain, hail or shine the market would struggle.”
He said more doubts were raised because the market was pioneering a new concept of midweek trading and twice a month.
“Although Melbourne has about 30 farmers’ markets, most are on a Saturday morning with a couple on a Sunday and all of them once a month.
Mr Rankin said the midweek concept created a different customer profile to a weekend market because a predominately female clientele came with a prepared shopping list.
“Family groups dominate weekend markets and the outing is part social and part shopping,” he said.
The market is held on the first and third Thursday of each month between 9am and 1pm at Max Pawsey Reserve, Narre Warren.