Environment News
From "Maple Street Co-op News", June/July 2008
"Community Benefits of Localised Farmers' Markets"

By Pat Fuller and Michael Cole-King

The not-for-profit Blackall Range Growers' Market opened for business almost six months ago. The market aims to be part of an ever-increasing network of farmers' markets within Australia. Latest figures show that there are now over 80 markets that operate regularly within Australia. Farmers' markets are one of the oldest forms of direct marketing by small farmers. Interestingly, the terms 'farmers' and 'growers' have been used to describe markets only in the last decade, to distinguish them from those selling more globally-sourced goods; although, the practice of farmers and growers selling their own produce at markets or outlets is long established.

Traders and sellers at typical local, suburban markets will often have been to wholesale market stalls by 5am that morning and bought their stock direct from producers whose produce was harvested a few hours earlier. This raises the question of food miles, a current preoccupation amongst 'green' buyers. Although this is a useful consideration in determining whether supplying a product is environmentally responsible, it forms only a part of a complex equation. Is it more environmentally sound to buy rice from a drought area of Australia or ship it in from a place where water is much more plentiful? The simplistic mantra of 'food miles' can often lead to the opposite result from that which the well-intentioned buyer was trying to achieve.

Why shop at a farmers' market?
The Australian Farmers' Markets Association defines a farmers' market as "a predominantly fresh food market that operates regularly within a community and at a focal public location that provides a suitable environment for farmers and food producers to sell farm-origin and associated value-added processed food products directly to customers". The aims of such markets are to:
• preserve farmland and sustainable agriculture
• support and stimulate profitable trading
• maintain the viability and business growth of independent primary producers, hobby farmers, community and home gardeners and associated produce value-adders
• provide customers with regular supplies of fresh food and access to improved nutrition
• contribute to the economic, social and health capital of the host community.

Recent Australian research underlines the fact that farmers' markets are now recognised as a vital part of the food chain and a driver of the revitalisation of both rural and urban communities. Sustainable agriculture, bio-diversity and food security issues also contribute to the relevance of farmers markets and the role they play in regional development. Many markets are not-for-profit organisations and operate as co-operatives. Co-ops are membership driven; if you serve the members you serve the community. In co-operative-based businesses, as all members can have a say, they are more aligned to peoples' needs. A typical growers' market aims to serve the community in this way.

Each market has its own identity but its purpose is universal. Fresh food and the control of its production are put back into the hands of those who grow, rear and produce it. The market provides a viable, interactive and alternative outlet in the current highly concentrated food supply system. Under the corporate, food industry-dominated system, the wholesale prices farmers receive for their produce are generally very low, often near the cost of production. Unlike corporations, farmers cannot easily access government and global financial institution subsidies, information on new consumer markets or new food technologies. By selling direct to the public, they can get a better price. They can offer consumers fresh, healthy food and another way of shopping that is not dominated by the industrial food heavyweights and their 'high cut seeking' middlemen.

Chairman Patrick Mulvany of UK Food Group (global food NGO network) believes the only way ahead is to put local suppliers in control of food distribution rather than unaccountable corporations. The knowledge and skills of such small-scale providers and their technologies will achieve a resilient food system that will guarantee future food.

It is said that 'we are what we eat'. Few would doubt that eating lovingly- and locally-grown fresh fruit and vegetables as a regular part of our diet plays a large part in keeping us healthy and balanced. By promoting fresh produce consumption, growers markets encourage all food producers, farmers, backyard growers and artisans of value-added products to participate. This in turn creates rural linkages.

Markets encourage recyclable packing and comply with local food safety regulations. Upholding a policy of allowing only the grower of the fresh produce to be the stallholder ensures that the consumer is able to interact with the producer;, can know how and where the food is grown or produced; can probably find out how to cook it and maybe discover a recipe or two! Local markets operating along these lines engender enormous community spirit. There are many stories of triumphs, some tribulations and wonderful networks and friendships created through involvements in farmers' markets.

The Blackall Range Growers' Market is held every third Saturday of the month in the leafy grounds of the Old Witta School, 316 Witta Road, Witta. The next markets will be held 21 June and 19 July. For enquiries please call Pat on 5499 9924 or email fullmarks@digisurf.com.au.

Sources:
• Victorian Govt Research, farmers markets www.vic.gov.au
• Australian Farmers Market Association www.farmersmarkets.org.au
• Guardian Weekly, 19 Oct 2007 p.2

[From "Maple Street Co-op News", June/July 2008; published by The Maple Street Co-operative Society Ltd, 37 Maple Street, Maleny, Qld 4552, Australia, tel (07) 5494 2088, email maplest.coop@serv.net.au,
website http://www.maplestreetco-op.com.au]