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Organic Industry Update, January 2003
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IN THIS ISSUE
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| Chairman's Report - National Conference and Meeting With Certifiers |
OFA is focusing on two main tasks for January:
1. Continuing the preparations for the
SECOND NATIONAL ORGANIC CONFERENCE - "ORGANIC FUTURES FOR AUSTRALIA"
to be held at the University of Adelaide on 2,3 & 4 October 2003.
The Conference will feature future challenges for all facets of the Australian Organic Industry. Special emphasis will be placed on:
a) best ways of utilising limited water resources on farms
b) managing difficult soils
c) the science of organic agriculture, and
d) working the supply chains to the best advantage of grower, processor and
consumer.
There will also be opportunities for submitted papers on other topics.
Since the Conference will be in Adelaide, OFA has arranged for NASAA and other
Adelaide based organisations and people to assist with the Conference. Cat Mills
of the NASAA office is being seconded part-time to OFA to manage the Conference
secretariat. Cat may be contacted by phone, email or post.
January will see a preliminary notice sent out encouraging early registration
and calling for papers. If you wish to ensure you receive this notice, register
early interest in attending, or would like to present a paper, please contact
Cat Mills on (08) 8370 8455 - email cat.mills@nasaa.com.au
-or c/- P.O. Box 768, Stirling, SA, 5152.
The Conference programme will include as plenary and specialist sessions on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd October, Farm Visits on Saturday 4th October. Other suggestions being considered are a poster paper display area, and an Organic Food & Wine Tasting one evening to which the general public is invited.
One of the aspects of this Conference that OFA is fostering, is to attract
speakers and delegates from outside the industry to increase general awareness
and appreciation of organic produce.
2. Meeting with Certifiers to discuss two issues of National Importance
OFA has written to all certifiers inviting them to a meeting to discuss
a) The possible development of a self-managed Code of Conduct for the Australian Organic Industry in the absence of any government support for domestic regulations regarding trading in certified organic produce; and
b) The issue of Harmonisation and Mutual Recognition, which is becoming increasingly important for trade in certified organic produce. This topic is especially relevant to processors and other traders who obtain organic produce from a number sources, and which may be certified with different organisations.
OFA believes that it is in the overall interests of the Australian Organic Industry that these issues be frankly discussed in an open meeting. If you have any views on these topics, you may wish to register a comment on the OFA website or contact your certifier.
I trust you all had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year, and we all look forward to some drought-breaking rains in 2003.
Sid Cowling
OFA Chairman
| Soil Health Card |
The Soil Health Card is a simple and effective way to monitor soil health on your property. Developed by Tuckombil Landcare, NSW Agriculture, and the Natural Heritage Trust, it is a simple system that should be used by both organic and conventional farmers. The following is from the Tuckombil Landcare website (www.lis.net.au/~tuckland/)
This soil health card was developed for the Northern Rivers Region of NSW as an extension activity of the Good Soils Project, a joint undertaking of Tuckombil Landcare Inc and NSW Agriculture in partnership with the Natural Heritage Trust.
The card was developed through a series of workshops held at Wollongbar TAFE. Primary producers representing a range of industries and one urban gardener attended the workshops. The process was facilitated by staff of Wollongbar TAFE and NSW Agriculture. Participants are acknowledged individually on the back of the health card folder. The aim was to develop a practical tool that all landholders in the Northern Rivers Region can use to monitor the health of their soils. As the core of the card, the team came up with a list of 10 straightforward visual tests that require simple equipment and can be carried out by one person in the field.
The soil health card lists the 10 tests and provides space for you to rate your own soils after carrying out the tests. By testing regularly and keeping the cards, you can build up a record of your soil health, and understand the effect of management practices on soil health.
Regular testing will show improvements in response to more sustainable management such as use of mulch in orchards, or minimum tillage in crop rotations, and allow early detection of developing soil problems. Test results can also be used as the basis for discussion about management changes with other landholders and with agricultural advisers.
This card is not intended to replace any soil testing that you may already carry out. It is another tool to help you understand your soils and their productivity. Maintaining soil health in the short term will undoubtedly increase the sustainability of farming into the future.
For information and to obtain the Soil Health Card, contact David Rody at robyalst@nrg.com.au
| Third
Edition of the National Standard Released |
The third edition of the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce was released in September 2002. The full document can be downloaded from the AQIS website at www.aqis.gov.au/organic . It's about 70 pages so allow a little time.
| OFA Website Developments |
The last month has seen some upgrading at the OFA website. Perhaps most significantly, there has been major re-structure of the menu system, making it more intuitive and user friendly. We are interested to hear your feedback.
Most noticable, for those of you familiar with the OFA home page, is a new third column for updates of the second National Organic Conference, being held in Adelaide next year. Watch this space for booking information, speakers, and involvement opportunities.
We are keen to expand the readership of this monthly newsletter (now called the OFA Organic Industry Update), so we have created more prominent links on the home page to the subscription page. In the month ahead you will also see the subscription process dramatically simplified. We are pleased to report that we receive new subscriptions on a daily basis, and we appreciate the positive feedback that has been coming in. Word must be spreading that the OFA Newsletter (ahem ..... Organic Industry Update), is a good read ! Please continue to forward it to your friends and colleagues who may like to subscribe.
Finally, we are working on improving the online directory, making it easier for you to find the listings you look for. In the near future expect to see the search page significantly reformatted to make searching faster and retrieve better results.
Stay tuned for more website developments in the February issue.
Dom O'Brien
OFA Website Manager
| Farmers Demand GE Crop Poll Following Shock Result Amongst Farmers in SA |
From the GeneEthics updates newsletter
West Wimmera, Friday 1st November:
A survey of members of the South Australian Farmers Federation revealed yesterday that 80% of farmers want a moratorium on the introduction of Genetically Engineered (GE) crops. Farmers throughout Australia (members of farmers groups) are today demanding that Farmers Organisations in their states also conduct a vote of members on the controversial issue.
With the proposed release of GE canola only 5 months away, farmers around the country are increasingly frustrated that their concerns are not being listened to. The poll, released yesterday, by the South Australian Farmers Federation (SAFF) was the first of its kind in Australia and showed that 80% of SAFF members want a moratorium on the introduction of GE crops.
Canola farmer and VFF member Stephen English says "We are concerned about losing our markets. Many Australian exporting companies are being told by their customers that they will not accept GM grain. Grass roots VFF members would support buying time on this issue and should be able to have their say."
The results of the South Australian farmers poll are even more shocking given that an October survey by Biotechnology Australia showed that rural South Australia has by far the lowest level of concern over GE crops of any region in Australia.
Geoffrey Carracher, farmer and VFF member from West Wimmera said "If a poll was conducted in Victoria, the response is would be similar. Most farmers don't want GE crops but it's taking a long time for the grower organisations to wake up to what the grassroots members are saying".
VFF member and BFA spokesperson, Scott Kinnear said "The European Union is our third biggest export market for canola and they don't want GE food. Many consumers in Japan and China don't want to eat GE food, and many Australian food companies don't want to buy GE crops because their customers don't want it."
"We can't afford to risk losing our markets and contaminating non-GE crops by introducing GE canola. Containment and co-existence is impossible and if GE canola is introduced, there is no turning back."
"We're calling on the VFF, to listen to their members, to have a transparent, democratic process and to conduct a poll of all members on the issue of GE crops, asking farmers if they want a 5 year moratorium or not," Mr Kinnear concluded.
For interviews or more information:
Geoffrey Carracher (West Wimmera) ph (03) 5386 6261.
Steve English (Kerang) ph 03 54 57 7230
Scott Kinnear (Daylesford) ph 0419 881 729
Gill Rosier (Bendigo) ph (03) 5435 3669
Julie Newman (WA) ph (08) 9871 1562
Arthur Bowman (NSW) ph (02) 6366 8229
Sam Statham (NSW) ph 0428 667 317
Or visit: www.non-gm-farmers.com
| OPAQ Conference - Update #5 |
Inaugural Queensland Organics Conference: "Queensland Organics - food
with a future"
Cairns 31 July - 1 August 2003
Conference Ambassador - Diane Cilento
The Inaugural Queensland Organics conference will be the first time in the history
of the Queensland Organic industry that a venue has been provided for the entire
industry to meet. Conference interest is generating within the industry especially
from those seeing value in connecting supply chain players and those who see
the conference as an opportunity to cohesively grow the industry further.
Web site conference information and registration
The OPAQ website www.geocities.com/opaq2001
has current conference and registration details on it for your consideration.
Trade Displays
Expressions of interest are being sought for trade displays at the conference.
These are available to certified organic enterprises and agencies and will be
integral to the success of the conference. Plenty of time has been allocated
for delegates to peruse the information provided at the trade display booths
and pricing for booths is very reasonable. Contact Maurice Franklin Tel/Fax:
07 4068 7340 E-mail: maurice.franklin@bigpond.com
Conference Papers Due 1 February 2003
Conference papers will start to be processed from 1 February and to date the
papers sub-committee has received extract submissions from a range of industry
spheres including soil scientists, producers, wholesalers, marketing, trade
and processors. Should you like to make a presentation or if you have a speaker
you would like to hear contact Rosemary Burgess as below.
Dance performance
As a means to engage the Far North Queensland regional community in the conference
a range of connections are being made with art, industry and other community
organisations. Innisfail Rythmics dance studio is to give a finale performance
with the theme "children are the future" and will focus on human helath
and environmental benefits from Organic production. The children enjoy performing
and this will provide them with an opportunity to learn more about what it means
to be organic. The performance is being sponsored by FNQ branch OPAQ members
Angela and Philip Reitano.
Contact:
Rosemary Burgess
Chair, Inaugural Queensland Organics Conference Committee
Tel: 07 4067 6492 ( 1 - 3 pm weekdays), E-mail: rburgess@austarnet.com.au
Post: PO Box 116 Mirriwinni Qld 4871
Website: www.geocities.com/opaq2001
| IFOAM World Board Meeting Report - by Liz Clay |
Delhi November 26 – December 1, 2002
General
The First meeting of the new IFOAM World Board (WB) elected in Canada in
September took place in Delhi India coinciding with the Grow Organic Conference
and trade event sponsored by the Indian Government and organized by the Biodynamic
community. The WB was also generously hosted by the Indian government. The IFOAM
Grow Organic (IGO) steering committee were also meeting in Delhi.
Prior to the meeting fellow board member Pipo Lernoud and I visited Vandana Shiva’s Farm Navdanya in Deiradon north of Delhi. Her farm was…”born of a vision - in which every species has a future, every farm is free of toxins, and every person is free from hunger.” Navdanya is a place of education particularly farmer to farmer education, of saving seeds and advocating seed sovereignty, of promoting and demonstrating biodiversity in farming, of promoting indigenous foods and medicines and doing organic farming. Both Pipo and I gave presentations to the group of 30 farmers who were undertaking a program at Navdanya.
During the meeting the Board received an email from Suzanne Vaupel, our much loved past Vice President who had to resign from the board during last term due to illness. We much appreciated her thoughts, however, we were shocked to hear her news that she will undergo surgery again in early December. We stood together silently sending her our collective strength and love.
Business Decisions
1. Dates 2003 – WB Meetings
23-25th March in Santa Clara, Cuba;
1-4 th November Thailand prior to the IFOAM international trade Conference.
(FAO will be holding an Organic Tropical Horticulture conference at the same
time.)
2. New staff appointment - Louise Ludlicut from Netherlands will take up the position of Policy Coordinator. She will be involved in the broad area of developing position and policies for IFOAM
3. IFOAM Structures
3.1 Norms Committee is now established. First meeting will be held in late January.
3.2 Development Forum – Recommending an international seed conference. A conference steering committee to look at all the issues - GMO, sovereignty, saving, standards, importing country requirements etc. will be formed.
3.3 Government Policy Sub Committee - Now established with aim to lobby governments regarding harmonization issues.
3.4 Farmers Group has been approved. To to be developed.
3.5 Request to form a research network attracted a lot of discussion. Further information is required from the proponents.
4. General Assembly reflections – Feed back from the GA was analyzed with general appreciation of the motions bazaar and the opportunities to discuss issues in smaller groups prior to voting. Recommendations process linked with the visioning was not so well received although generally the opportunity to discuss and explore issues was well received. Opportunities need to be provided to the membership to discuss and bring up new big picture issues. How are we going to make the GA more attractive? This is the critical opportunity for IFOAM’s agenda to be set and requires the participation of the membership.
5. Conference reflections – Some criticisms that is wasn’t scientific enough. Should we have parallel thematic events in Australia such as wine or “hard science findings”? Discussion continues.
6. Harmonization - Swedish Aid program, SIDA, has offered funds to continue the international harmonization agenda. A meeting in Geneva involving IFOAM, IOAS, FAO and UNCTAD will examine the next steps after the Harmonization Conference held earlier this year. May focus on how “friendly” governments can provide leadership.
Joint meeting in Cuba with IOAS, Norms Committee and WB to discuss further strategies for harmonization.
Codex work currently is mostly tidying up. No need for representation.
ISEAL – Has received funding through US foundation which will allow work to continue re peer review, monitoring of global standards.
Single most important factor for the success of the Organic Guarantee System is the MLA
Globalization paper to be developed.
7. Regionalisation – This concept is requiring review as most regions are not functioning. Current policy allows for members to group in which ever way they see fit be they national, regional, sectoral etc. Should our policies be more oriented at serving our members rather than develop regions? Regions need a clear set of aims and a good reason for being. What does IFOAM want the regions to achieve? Provide places and opportunities for membership to talk. Pick this up at next meeting.
8. Mission Statement – Process continues. May need a facilitator for Cuba also membership input. Internal letter for suggestions.
9. IFOAM Program – based on WB program as presented to GA then published in Nov 2002 Internal Letter. This terms work plan is outlined here and reflects the recommendations brought forward in the GA. Revised program to be developed with these additions.
10. GMO – IFOAM cannot take the lead role on this issue. (do not have the resources), Need to rely on our partners for this. Recommendation for a GMO lobbyist will become a part of new Policy Coordinator role however this will not be dedicated to GMO issues only. She will also review the IFOAM policy issue.
11. Beyond Standards – Seeds issue will be dealt with in the IGO project. Agro Tourism and school curriculum is not the role the role of IFOAM. Our role is more to influence the content but not to do it - this is something the membership should be doing. Redirecting IFOAM funds into community development – this is being achieved if one considers the IGO program. Are we paying enough political attention to the perception that organic agriculture is more than the certified organic scene? There are stories to tell eg food security, food education, seeds, alternative food systems etc. These messages should be more visible.
12. International Outreach – IUCN MOU with IFOAM. Our business within the MOU is to try to influence IUCN on biodiversity in OA and GMO. We want to be sure they make a commitment to do something on this issue.
Unilever – Issues we bring to the table in this forum are organic agriculture and GMO. Unilever’s new label – Go Organic! IFOAM should continue with this committee.
Summary
| Organic To Be Judged at Beef 2003 Expo |
The BEEF 2003 expo features a judging category for Organic Cattle. The two classes are:
Pen of 10 steers, 500-630kgs, Maximum 4 teeth, nil bruise
Pen of 10 heifers, 380 to 540kgs, maximum 2 teeth, nil bruise, suitable local
trade.
Prize money for these events is: First place: $500, Second: $300, Third: $250
Many visitors, both domestic and international, are expected to attend the judging so it's a great oportunity to raise the profile of the organic beef industry in Australia.
Contact Quentin Kennedy for nomination forms on 46 39 32 99 or at manager@bfa.com.au
| Inspectors' Report - by Inspector Representative Sid Cowling |
Problems for Organic Inspectors
Two new issues have emerged recently for Organic Inspectors which will affect their operations and fees. These issues are not confined to those providing consulting and inspection services to the organic industry, but presumably affect many working in agriculture in rural Australia.
ATO Ruling on Contractors and Employees.
The vast majority of Independent Organic Inspectors work on a "casual" basis, undertaking producer and processor visits on request from Certifiers as needed. Hence they need to have other sources of income as few obtain sufficient jobs and income from this to make it a viable full time function.
Since the introduction of the GST the ATO has ruled that contractors who earn 80% or more of their income from the one employer are deemed to be employees so far as Tax Deductions are concerned. Thus an Organic Inspector who operates for one Certifier only, or primarily for one Certifier, apparently cannot claim some of the "usual" operating expenses, especially vehicle costs.
This would severely disadvantage those inspectors who work for one Certifier only, of which there are many.
Independent Organic Inspectors are scattered around Australia in many regions, providing a service to local producers and processors. If, as has been suggested to me, some of these cease inspecting if they cannot have their vehicle costs covered, then obviously there would be fewer inspectors providing the service, and costs to Certifiers, and presumably those being inspected, would increase as other inspectors would need to travel further to the sites.
Rises in Insurance Premiums
As part of the recent continuing substantial increases in insurance premiums generally, there are now significant increases in the premiums for those providing consulting services in the agricultural industry. One example is the Professional Indemnity Insurance provided through a broker to members of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology.
The premium for renewing these insurances has recently risen between 600% and 1,000%, depending upon the level of coverage and the sectors of agriculture covered by the insurance. Some of the higher levels are where there is financial and agronomic services, soil and chemical aspects, and food safety issues.
From discussions it would seem that some consultants will be able to pass on these additional operating costs by way of increased fees to their clients.
However it is being suggested that many of the older, semi-retired consultants, including some Independent Organic Inspectors, are not able to adequately cover these additional operating costs and will simply cease to provide their services. This means that some of the most valuable service providers with the longest and more detailed experience will no longer be available to agriculture.
The implications for organic agriculture in Australia are not yet clear. The Australian Independent Organic Inspectors Association believes that, in order to provide a professional service to the industry, and in the absence of adequate cover by the Certifiers, individual inspectors need to take out a range of insurance cover to confidently provide the necessary services in an increasing litigious society. And the Association believes that these legitimate costs to inspectors should be properly covered by the fees they receive from Certifiers.
Perhaps this is all part of new world order, but hopefully some reasonable resolution to these insurance problems, not just in the organic industry, will emerge.
Sid Cowling
Australian Independent Organic Inspectors Association
| So Natural Foods Raises AU$1.5 million to Fund Growth |
So Natural Foods Ltd, Australia’s largest manufacturer of whole soy bean beverages and foods, has raised A$1.5 million (US$839,100) through a share placement to fund further growth.
So Natural chief executive Geoff Babidge said the company, Australia's largest producer of whole bean soymilk, has a range of projects it is developing.
"The placement will allow us to pursue a number of strategies simultaneously with a strengthened balance sheet," Mr Babidge said.
So Natural produces the “Australia's Own” range of soy and rice milks made from organic, BFA certified soy beans and distributed mainly through health food stores and some supermarket chains.
Web: www.sonatural.com.au
| Whitsunday Organic Guest House |
Editor's note: Although the guest house is still in development I couldn't resist, the story intrigued me. I'm not jealous, really ... well maybe a little ....
The original owners of The Organic Shop in Balmain, Sydney, have opted
for a change of lifestyle. They are developing the 'Whitsunday Organic Guest
House' which is due to open April/May 2003.
They are incorporating environmental fixtures such as solar and wind power,
rain water tanks, water saving devices, organic vegetable and herb garden, and
orchard and chickens. The grounds will be planted with mature fruit and nuts
and local trees and shrubs of interest.
They have spectacular views from the property across the Whitsunday's to Hayman
Island and are 200 metres to Airlie Beach and the lagoon. They are hoping to
attract people who are interested in organic food and environmental issues.
As if that is not enough there will be a masseur and jump pool / spa bath. The
lean will be on healthy, active holidays, with an understanding of the benefits
of sustainable living.
Organic food will be one of the main focus areas and they intend to serve healthy
breakfasts and enjoyable dinners with the local produce and seafood.
Their web site will be finished in the coming months and will be found at www.whitsundayorganicguesthouse.com.au
For further information contact:
John Sergeant
8, Lamond Street, Airlie Beach
Whitsunday's, 4802 Queensland
07 4946 7151
Email: john.sergeant@bigpond.com
| First National Farmers' Markets Conference |
The rapid rise in popularity of farmers markets around Australia has resulted in the formation of the Australasian Farmers' Markets Association.
Over 65 delegates at the first national Farmers' Market Conference held in Bathurst recently, voted unanimously to establish the national body and to adopt the mission, aims and definition of the Association's inaugural charter.
'Farmers' Markets are increasingly a pivotal part of Australia's fresh food chain,' commented Conference Chairperson, Jane Adams. 'There are now over 40 community-based markets trading regularly in regional centres and capital cities across Australia.
'It has taken three years to reach this critical mass. Those active in this vibrant grassroots food movement wanted to establish a national hub and general charter to ensure the authentic viability of existing Farmers' Markets and to foster the development of new markets in interested host communities.'
The Australasian Farmers' Market Association (AFMA) comprises one representative per state and territory, and one from New Zealand under the interim national chairperson, Jane Adams.
Farmers' Markets operate regularly in all states including Albany, Margaret River, Boyanup, Manjimup, Carnarvon and Wanneroo (WA); Barossa, Willunga, Limestone Coast (SA); South Gippsland (Koonwarra, Phillip Island, Drouin, Longwarry & Rokeby), Cardinia Ranges, Yarra Valley, Collingwood (VIC); Mudgeeraba, Brisbane, Gold Coast (QLD) and Albury, Wagga, Dubbo, Cowra, Orange, Mudgee, Wauchope, Armidale, Tamworth and Byron Bay (NSW). Sydney currently hosts six major Farmers' Markets in Liverpool, Camden, Pyrmont, Castle Hill, North Sydney and Moore Park.
The conference, and the association, are for all farmers' markets, both organic and conventional. David Roby, one of the founders of the Lismore Organic Markets, was at the conference and presented a workshop.
Proceedings of the conference will be available in the near future, and a long awaited list of Australian growers' markets will be compiled as well.
For information contact:
Jane Adams Telephone (02) 9360 9380
Conference Chairperson Mobile (0417) 733 715
Email: jacom@bigpond.net.au
| Stihl 019T Chainsaw - by Andre Leu |
Andre Leu reviews a tool that he has found found very useful on his property in Queensland.
RRP $575
There are a number of tools that are essential on most farms. I believe one of them is a chainsaw. They are used for numerous jobs such as cutting fence posts, cutting firewood, felling trees, building pole sheds and pruning just to name a few. Most farmers can construct a good shed with a chainsaw, fencing wire and fencing pliers, spade and sheets of corrugated iron.
As an orchardist, I use a chainsaw all the time, especially for pruning large fruit trees. Several years ago I purchased a Stihl 019T purpose designed pruning chainsaw. This saw has to be the best one that I have used in over thirty years of using chainsaws. It is small and light. Very importantly it has a vibration - shockproof casing, which means it can be easily used one handed. The casing is designed so that the saw stays steady with no vibrations.
This makes it a very safe saw when climbing trees and cutting high branches. You can hold on with one hand and cut with the other, rather than trying to balance and cut with two hands. Even with a safety harness, slipping off a tree with a running chainsaw is not good for your health. Being able to hold on while you cut makes a big difference.
I now use this saw for most jobs. Being light, vibration free and very powerful means that it is less tiring than most other saws. This is very important if using a saw all day, for weeks on end, when pruning hectares of trees. Mistakes tend to happen when people are tired and not concentrating on the job.
About the only jobs it is not good for, due to the small blade, are cutting large stumps and felling large trees.
I hope everybody had a great festive season and wish you all a wonderful and productive 2003. We hope to see everybody in Adelaide for the 2nd National Conference in October.
Best Regards
Andre Leu
| Hot Lemon Sauce - by Dom O'Brien |
The Hot Lemon Sauce from Wiccawood Farms is one of those wonderful organic products that stops you in the middle of conversation to marvel at the party going on in your mouth. It has a powerful lemon flavour without being overpowering, that is balanced well with the sweetness of the sugar. The lemon flavour comes from 'bush lemons' which are grown on Wiccawood farm, in Georgica, northern NSW. They are a sweet, juicy, rough-skinned fruit and are endemic to the Northern Rivers region.
The sauce in itself is not hot, but on the floor of the bottle you see dozens of small black seeds - the Dorrigo Peppers. These are the hot part and in a great twist of novelty, you can choose how hot you want your sauce by using more or less of the seeds on your food. The heat is only released when the seeds are broken so if you don't bite any, the sauce isn't hot !
The product is bottled nicely and the sauce has a great lemon colour. At this stage all of the products are sold direct to the public at local markets, and the producers are developing plans for a mail order service. Wiccawood comprises 150 acres up one side of the Jiggi Valley, an hour inland from Byron Bay. They produce a growing range of herbs, spices, fruit, vegetables, and mulch, plus lemon myrtle products, rosella tea, and a range of dipping sauces (sweet chilli sauce, lime and coriander sauce and hot lemon sauce).
For more information contact:
Maree Bracker & Kenrick Riley
Wiccawood Farm Products
(02) 6688 8163
(0404) 111 603
kenrick.riley@lis.net.au
| Growers Market On The Green |
Warnambool, Victoria
Jan 4, Feb 1, Mar 1, Apr 5, May 3
Civic Green, Liebig St, Warrnambool.
8am to 12 noon
As a new initiative of the Warrnambool City Council and in conjunction with
Warrnambool's Hillside Market, the Grower's Markets will be conducted on the
Civic Green on the first Saturday of each month, commencing Saturday December
7
2002. [see above dates].
Warrnambool City Council's Manager of Major Events, Allan Murnane, said "It has been identified that there is a need for a dedicated produce market where the consumer can select and buy a range of fresh produce direct from the grower. Warrnambool City Council is providing a service to the community. The aim of the Grower's Markets are to revitalise the central business district and encourage locals and visitors into the City to the markets and to then flow on into the shopping precinct."
The Grower's Markets will provide fresh produce direct from the farm to the consumer. To date there are 35 stall holders taking part in the monthly produce markets of which may consist of fruit, vegetables, smallgoods, dairy, seafood, eggs, flowers and plants etc.
Organiser Kerry Lee adds, "We had our first 'Growers Market On The Green'
in early December. It went really well with terrific crowds of people purchasing
foods. We started with 32 stalls in total and the one thing we were lacking
is vegetables and breads. That will come now that the growers know that there
is another place to come and sell their goods."
The Growers Market is on the 1st Saturday of each month. Times are from 8am
until noon. Held on the Civic Green in the centre of the town of Warrnambool,
Victoria.
Contacts:
Dianne Brown ph. 03 55622695
Kerry Lee ph 03 55627030 or lava@datafast.net.au
| You will find more OFA and other industry services in the links below. |
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The OFA is the peak industry body for the Australian organic and biodynamic industry. Visit our webpage at www.ofa.org.au , or for organic industry and product enquiries click here . For information or help with this newsletter contact the OFA webmaster at webmaster@ofa.org.au . Feedback is always welcome !
