Reasons to shop at farmers’ markets are many and the most important is that not only do you get to buy the freshest locally grown produce but also choose among a fantastic range of other types of food.
Products sold at Victorian farmers’ markets include olive oils, wines, honey, artisan cheeses, sausages, seafood and meat. Some producers come here to sell leather-made items while others offer a variety of homemade sweets.
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All farmers’ markets are usually only open weekends, except for certain holidays and/or events when they could be held on any day(s) of the week. Across Victoria, many accredited farmers’ markets open 8am the earliest and close around 1pm. Here is the 2017 weekly market list provided by the Victorian Farmers’ Markets Association, just in case you want to try a different shopping experience.
First Weekend of the Month
Saturday: Carlton; Coburg; Echuca; Golden Plains (Bannockburn); Kingston; Sunraysia; Veg Out (St. Kilda), Woodend Community; Wodonga Junction.
Sunday: Castlemaine; Flemington; Hurstbridge; Swan Hill; Shepparton; South Geelong; Tallarook.
Second Weekend of the Month
Saturday: Bendigo Community; Coal Creek (Korumburra); Coburg; Collingwood Children’s Farm; Elwood; Essendon; Kyneton; Mornington; Old Cheese Factory; Wangaratta.
Sunday: Bonbeach; Clunes; Eltham; Flemington.
Third Weekend of the Month
Saturday: Boroondara (Hawthorn); Coburg; Echuca; Euroa Village; Fairfield; Gasworks (Albert Park); Riddells Creek; Sunraysia; Wodonga Junction; Warragul.
Sunday: Flemington; Mooroopna; South Geelong.
Fourth Weekend of the Month
Saturday: Bentleigh; Coburg; Essendon; Lancefield & District; Myrtleford; Slow Food (Abbotsford Convent); St Kilda Primary.
Sunday: Eltham; Eynesbury; Flemington; Nagambie; Mt Eliza.
Fifth Weekend of the Month
Saturday: Boroondara (Hawthorn); Coburg; Echuca; Fairfield.
The farmer’s market at The University of Melbourne is held every Wednesday, weekly during Semester. The market is open 10.30 am to 2.30 pm and is easily accessible to those in Melbourne. Several tram and bus routes make stops right in front of the university and nearby.
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This farmer’s market is actually one of Victoria’s finest and several top producers attend every week. Usually present are:
- Benny’s Berries selling natural jams from strawberry to summer berry jam, gift packs of 3 different jams, frozen berries.
- Langdale Orchards selling Pink Lady apples, Fuji apples, Packham pears, Bluerre Bosc pears along with other varieties.
- Sugarloaf Produce which is a conglomerate of independent producers that sell anything from locally grown fruits and vegetables to free range eggs, wines, meats and olive oils among so many other foods and products.
- Cocoa Rhapsody selling organic, hand crafted chocolate including vegan, bulk and exotic truffle bars.
- Himalaya Tibetan Tent selling homemade vegan or and chicken momos or Tibetan-style steamed dumplings with various fillings sourced from local producers.
- Sourdough Kitchen selling artisan breads and pastries that include sourdough chocolate croissant, fruit mince pies, doughnuts with passion fruit caramel, coffee scrolls, hot cross buns and many other bakery goods.
- Milawa Cheese Company selling handmade cow cheeses and goat cheeses, options including Brie cheese, Aged Blue, Cheddar, King River Gold and Goat Camambert.
- The Italian Chef selling tiramisu, Panna Cotta, Double Chocolate Lingotto, cured meats, pre-packed pasta, oils, vinegars and other fine Italian products.
- Pink Muesli selling vegetable muesli with three kinds of beetroot, also beetroot powders.
- Organic Sunrise selling fresh organic juices and foods.