Farmers market turns 10
WHEN the Byron Farmers' Market first started in 2002, it struggled to attract stallholders.
Ten years on and it's a different story with the market committee knocking farmers back "left, right and centre".
Today the popular market, held every Thursday morning in the Butler St reserve, will celebrate its 10th birthday.
Kaye Shadbolt was the first president elected to the market management committee and, now, the avocado grower from Nashua has just been elected president again for 2012/2013.
"It's extraordinary that we've made it to 10 years," Kaye said.
The market is so popular, but when we started it was such a new concept that it was hard work to convince the council, the community and the farmers of its merits.
"Now, the market is embraced by everyone."
Kaye said there were about 70 market members and at least 50 stalls selling a huge variety of healthy produce.
She said the committee's philosophy was to support local, small-scale farmers to be viable and to also be environmentally conscious.
"The markets have become a great meeting place where people can have a cup of coffee, something to eat, listen to buskers and meet the farmers," Kaye said.
"Customers can talk to the farmers and many have learnt about the seasonality of food."
A number of special events have been organised for today's celebrations.
From 8am to 11am there will be a hoopla circus, Cupcake The Clown, music, food samples and celebrity guests including the host of The Farmer Wants A Wife, Natalie Gruzlewski. A cake will cut at 10.30am.
