The only accredited farmers market in Melbourne’s west will open for business this Sunday at Newport.
Melbourne Farmers Markets (MFM), the not-for-profit group behind six Melbourne markets, has collaborated with The Substation community arts centre to host a twice-monthly event.
Its launch is part of the Big West Festival and coincides with the art venue’s artists market on the first Sunday of the month.
MFM founder Miranda Sharp said it would be the first farmers market in the west to be fully accredited by the Victorian Farmers Market Association. She said this guaranteed the buyer was getting food directly from the person who grew or made it.
“We are very pleased to be heading west as there are no other accredited farmers markets in the area,” she said. MFM has previously won Outstanding Farmers’ Market awards for the Gasworks and Collingwood Children’s Farm markets.
Kicking off on the first day of summer, Newport’s first market will have seasonal fruit and vegetables, including organics and heirloom varieties. Summer produce includes strawberries, cherries and apricots. There will also be free-range meats, handmade cheeses, baked goods, olive oil, preserves, honey, wine and flowers.
Future markets will be held on the first and third Sunday of the month from 9am-2pm.
