Walcha’sfirst Farmers’ Market was a huge success last Saturday, attracting well over 500 people from near and far to check out the large variety of produce and food stalls, and action in the park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Rowan Tihema of NERAM Harvest Restaurant in Armidale officially opened the markets, along with Walcha mayor Janelle Archdale.
There were about 30 stalls, workshops and entertainment. Rowan said farmers’ markets were an important source for accessing local and fresh produce for chefs and food businesses.
Mrs Archdale spoke about the importance the markets will play in attracting people to Walcha and the benefits they will have to the whole community, and how the markets will showcase the diverse produce we have in the area.
The workshop understanding soil structure, conducted by Little Ladybird Nursery in Uralla, was popular amongst the gardeners, later followed by a paella cooking demonstration by Armidale Ultimate BBQ.
Meanwhile, the crowd was entertained by Michael Luchich on the guitar and Woolbrook School’s marimba players.
Children enjoyed the face painting and jumping castle and the local schools and preschool participated in the farmers’ market colouring-in competition, which were on display at the markets. Winners of the colouring-in competition were Sasha Onslow,
Darius Naylor, Kelsey Burrell, Matilda Hall, and Jane Muller.
“The feedback from stallholders and all involved was positive, one commenting that the market was of the same calibre, if not better, than some Sydney markets,” co-president Olivia Nivison said.
“The stallholders made great sales with many selling out before the market concluded.
Amongst the wide variety of produce at the markkets was wine, trout, honey, breads, pastries and baked goods, spices and sauces, meats, olive oil, goat’s milk products, organic herb by-products, plants and flowers, old-fashioned home-made lemonade and milkshakes, gourmet breakfast and lunches on offer, and a range of fresh produce and beautiful home-made products on the community stall.
“The community stall is a great way for those within the community to sell and showcase their homemade produce and surplus fruit and vegetables,” copresident Paula Jenkins said.
“I would like to thank those who supplied produce for the community stall. The quality and presentation was excellent and there was a great variety.”
A range of prizes were raffled at the Markets and Col Wake won the ‘guess the weight of the pumpkin’ competition, which weighed in at 8.5kg.
“The committee would like to thank Felicity Hurt, Jordie Brazel and all the generous sponsors and businesses who donated fantastic raffle and competition prizes for the day,” Mrs Jenkins said.
The Walcha Farmer’s Markets will be held at McHattan Park on the third Saturday of each month, from 8.30am.
