Talbot Farmers Market

Third Sunday every month

Category Archives: Media Release

09 Jul

Talbot Farmers Market Supporting Small-Scale Producers

Every third Sunday of the month, the tiny heritage town of Talbot is transformed into a bustling hive of activity as people travel to buy direct from their local farmers, growers and producers. With over 80 stalls of fresh, organic and bio-dynamic products from honey, bread, fruit and vegetables, meat, sauces, oils, preserved goods, handmade herbal teas, soaps, wine and cheeses, you can also buy your live chickens, stock feed and plants.

The unique quality of the Talbot Farmers Market is that it runs alongside the Talbot Hall Markets where there are another 50 stalls offering brique-a-brac, handmade arts and crafts, tools and all sorts of gifts, lotions and potions. Together, these two markets provide local people the opportunity to make and sell their produce directly to the public at a very low cost. This gives farmers, hobbyists, small scale growers and makers a platform to sell what’s in season and bring directly to the people. Customers are able to meet the makers and find out about products, often tasting them before they buy, which is not possible at the supermarket. Meet two of our stall holders below.

New Stall Holder: Gorgeous George Probiotics 

Every month we welcome new stall holders as different products come into season. Adam Court from Gorgeous George Probiotics is one of the Talbot Famers Markets’ newest stall holders. Gorgeous George Probiotics only sell their range of probiotic gut healthy products like Kombucha, sauerkraut, dips, hummus and tzatziki at local markets as it allows them to manage the quality of their product. Adam says, “the markets give us the ability to meet our customers and find out exactly what they think of our products. This was important when we were starting out as it gave us the freedom to experiment with our products and get them right for the customer. We could play with the flavours and educate people on new products like the fermented tea drink, Kombucha.” Kombucha is now their bestselling product, with people enjoying the healthy qualities of the tonic.

Seasoned stall holder: Avonmore Biodynamic Farm, Vineyard and B&B
There are other stall holders who have been with the Talbot Farmers Markets since the beginning, over 14 years. Avonmore Estate is a bio-dynamic farm, vineyard and Bed and Breakfast, just north of Bendigo. They have been selling their biodynamic wines and grape juice for years and rarely miss a market. Farmer, Rob Bryans enjoys meeting his customers at the Talbot Farmers Market. “We sell our wines in other outlets as well as online, but it is the farmers markets that gives us the opportunity to discuss our wines directly with the customers”, says Rob. People can try the wine before they buy, so they know they are going to like it before they take it home. Rob can also talk to people about the differences of bio-dynamic farming and what that means to their wines.

Rob Bryans from Avenmore Farm, Vineyard and B&B

So, rug up your family and four-legged friends, pack your environmentally friendly bags and take a trip to the country this Sunday and visit the Talbot Farmers Markets 15 July, from 9am to 1pm. There are hot food stalls and plenty of coffee carts to keep you going.

Kate Bucknall with Laura and two-year old Talia Smith rug up for the winter shopping experience

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14 Mar

Talbot Farmers’ Market Has A Barrow Load to Celebrate

Talbot Farmers’ Market Has A Barrow Load to Celebrate

 

Talbot’s hugely successful farmers market will host a, special market event this Sunday in celebration of it’s 13th anniversary market.

On the third Sunday of the month for the past 13 years the town of Talbot has transformed into a vibrant village market place.  In the early hours of the morning farmers, bakers and gourmet product makers gather in Talbot to set up stall over 80 stalls and await the crowds to arrive, and arrive they do, in droves.

“There is always a buzz in the air on market day, visitors love to soak up the atmosphere as they wander along the beautiful heritage streetscape bustling with market stalls.” said the markets Marketing Officer Jayne Newgreen.

Talbot Farmers’ Market was founded in 2004 with a barrow load of dedication from a group of passionate locals and seed seed funding from Victoria’s Department of Regional Development.  The aim was to stem the demise of the small town and create a monthly event which would allow the economic and physical health of the town and its people to flourish.

“The market has always been more than a place to shop for fresh seasonal produce,” Jayne explains.  “It is a place for locals to catch up with one another and people from further afield to visit and experience an authentic country farmers market with real livestock, real farmers and real community spirit.

It is this community spirit that Market Co-Ordinator Lee Holland sees as one of the main reason for the markets’ ongoing success. “We have a small but dedicated committee and a great bunch of locals that volunteer with all the ‘behind the scenes jobs’ such as the set up and pack down on market day each month.” “That said, we can always use an extra set of hands on market day, so we encourage anyone interested in volunteering to get in touch!”

For many a chance to win the unique and quirky Barrow Raffle is a highlight of each farmers’ market day.  Every month the purple wheelbarrow is loaded with produce and products donated by the markets generous stall holders, at 12:30pm the raffle is drawn and one lucky ticker holder wins the entire contents of the wheelbarrow, estimated at over $250 worth in products.

“Every month we are asked if the wheelbarrow is included in the raffle.” says Jayne.  “We have to explain that the prize is the entire contents of the Barrow but unfortunately does not include the wheelbarrow itself”

This month however, in celebration of the markets 13th anniversary, the farmers market committee will donate a brand new wheelbarrow to be part of the prize along with all of the wonderful produce and products donated by stall holders.

Funds raised through the Barrow Raffle go towards the ongoing running costs of the market and back into the local community.  Over the past year the Talbot Farmers Market has made donations to the Maryborough SES, Talbot Action Inc and the Talbot Primary School.

The extra special Barrow Raffle is just one reason to get along to this months farmers’ market this Sunday, many of the markets 80 stalls will also have anniversary specials, making it a market event not to be missed.

Sunday 19th March 2017 , 9am – 1pm
Scandinavian Crescent & Camp Street, Talbot.

Barrow Raffle tickets are available from the purple Information Marquee in front of London House on Scandinavian Crescent, the raffle is drawn at 12:30pm each market day.

09 Nov

Farmers’ Market Calls Upon Community To Consider Committee

Farmers’ Market Calls Upon Community To Consider Committee

The roads are closed off, marquees go up and visitors arrive, it’s market day and with the Farmers’ Market now in it’s 11th year this is not an unfamiliar scene for the residents of Talbot.

The Farmers’ Market began in 2004 when a dedicated group of locals came together with the aim of bringing economic, social and health benefits to the Streets of Talbot.

Over the years the Farmers’ Market has proven to be a great success, attracting many visitors to town, providing a social setting for locals to catch up and bringing fresh food to the streets of Talbot.  As a not for profit community organisation the Farmers’ Market has also given back to the community that has supported it through donations over the years to the TTT Medical Car, Talbot Primary School, Talbot Tennis Club & Back Creek Kindergarten among others.

Since 2004 the Committee of Management has evolved as people have moved on and new community members have come on board, passionate about being involved and working towards achieving those same aims of the its founders.

Today the committee understands that in order to continue the success of the Talbot Farmers’ Market it is crucial that new people join the committee and help the Farmers’ Market evolve, set direction and prosper in the next decade.  The Talbot Farmers’ Market will hold its AGM on Monday 10th November, 7:30pm at the Talbot Tennis Clubrooms.  We invite residents of Talbot and surrounding districts to come along to the AGM  and consider taking a place on the Talbot Farmers’ Market committee.

Do you have an interest in farming and agriculture?  Are you passionate about local food?  Would you like to be involved in this celebrated community event?    If so we would love to hear from you.  Please get in touch via email to talbotfarmersmarket@bigpond.com  or just come along to the AGM.

The Talbot Farmers’ Market is a not for profit community organisation, administered by a Committee of Management which employs the services of two contractors to co-ordinate and publicise the Market and who together with a team of valuable ‘behind the scenes’ volunteers put on the Farmers’ Market each month.  If you are interested in being involved but do not wish to be on the committee we would still love to hear from you.  There is a real need for volunteer assistance on Market day with set-up, pack-down or general duties so please get in touch and we can discuss how you could become involved.

Talbot Farmers’ Market AGM – Monday 10th November, 7:30pm at the Talbot Tennis Club Rooms. Followed by a light supper.

 

10 Mar

MARKET MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Market Marks 10th Anniversary

The tiny town of Talbot will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of its popular Farmers’ Market on Sunday 16th March from 9am -1pm.

The Talbot Farmers’ Market began quietly in 2004 as one of the earliest farmers’ markets in regional Victoria and continues to be a growing success a decade on.  The market, set down the road in the beautiful historic precinct on Scandinavian Crescent in Talbot, connects local and regional farmers, growers and artisan food producers with market goers from far and wide.

From humble beginnings the vibrant market remains proudly community based.  Gillian Sweetland, one of the founders explains how ten years ago a band of passionate locals with “an incredible variety of talents, skill and commitment” pulled together to make the Market happen.  Their hope was to “stem the demise of a small town and create a legacy to underpin the livelihood of its old and new residents.  It’s obvious that the dedication was infectious and I am very proud of the community’s success.”  A success it is, today the market continues to draw over 2000 visitors to town on the third Sunday of every month.

The Talbot Farmers’ Market boasts an impressive display of over 80 stalls of regional produce including seasonal fruit and vegetables, organic produce, freshly baked bread, gourmet cheese and meats, local wines, organic oils, artisan and gourmet delicacies, livestock, plants and much more.

To mark the 10th anniversary milestone, the Talbot Farmers’ Market will host a series of short ‘Meet the Farmer’ talks, with presentations from an organic vegetable grower, bio-dynamic lentil farmer, an apple orchardist, an organic oil seed producer and a passionate vermiculturist poet.  The farmers will talk on a range of subjects from the challenges of farming to looking after the environment and more in depth topic of genetically modified foods.  These talks will provide an opportunity for market goers to better understand where the products they enjoy at the market come from and to really connect with stallholders, many of whom have been with the market since day one.

The Talbot Farmers’ Market is not complete without its popular “Barrow Raffle” and to celebrate the decade milestone there will be a total of 10 draws in this months raffle.  Prizes will include vouchers to dine at local eateries such as Bryce’s Bistro, Ripples Cafe and the Talbot Courthouse Hotel.  There will also be a chance to win bottles of wine from Kangaroo Hill Organics and Amherst Winery and hampers of product from Stoney Creek Oils and Pud for All Seasons.  Raffle ticket holders will also be in with the chance to win a stack of  “Talbot Farmers’ Market Money” to the value of $100 to be spent at the market and luxury overnight accommodation for two at Talbots Chesterfield House.

Three little pigs will also be coming to the market to be raffled in the wildly popular ‘Pig Raffle’.  The rare breed black pigs are farmed free range just outside of Talbot by John of Ragin Pigs and have been a feature at the market since day one.  While always drawing a crowd of both little and big kids alike the pigs are sure to create a stir this month, especially with market goers having the chance of winning and taking home a pig of their very own.

To complete the vibrant village atmosphere there will be live music played in the street by local musician Kim Ritche and the Maryborough Highland Pipe Band.

Visitors to the Farmers’ Market can also drop by the adjacent Town Hall Market, where they can browse and buy delightful and unexpected handmade treasures.

Don’t miss this wonderful milestone and share in the celebrations at the Talbot Farmers’ Market on Sunday 16th March 2014.