Feature Article

Farmers' markets prove a growing food source

The sustainable growth of Australia's farmers' market movement has been highlighted in a recent report.

16/04/2012 - The sustainable growth of Australia's farmers' market movement has been highlighted in a recent report, released by Australia's Minister for Agriculture, the Hon Joe Ludwig.

Find related suppliers

The report, titled Social and Economic Dimensions of Farmers Markets in Australia, included in Australian Food Statistics 2010-2011 is based on a 2011 survey of farmers' market managers by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) with the support of the Australian Farmers' Markets Association (AFMA).

The key findings include: 97 per cent of market managers reported long-term sustainability of their markets; market numbers have more than doubled between 2004 and 2011 to 150-plus nationally; 69 per cent of all markets surveyed reported increased stallholder numbers; 64 per cent of all markets surveyed reported increased shopper numbers; and 43 per cent of markets trade weekly, 13 per cent fortnightly, and 44 per cent monthly.

Farmers markets - along with other alternative fresh food markets - are estimated to represent seven per cent of all fresh food sales (McKinna 2011).

The survey of 72 market managers is the first substantive national research undertaken on both the economic and social dimensions of the vibrant farmers' market movement.

AFMA spokesperson Jane Adams said: "These findings highlight the fact that farmers' markets have become a vital and permanent link in Australia's food chain.

"Direct paddock-to-plate and lower food-mile shopping is without doubt one of the most significant changes in the past decade in our national foodscape."

Australia's farmers' markets have seen steady and sustainable growth since the first market commenced trading in Victoria in 1999.

Source: Australian Farmers' Markets Association

Browse the HospitalityHub directory: Food Service & Supplies

Have your say...

Jeremy Nathan | 23/04/2012 13:51 1

This gives hope to the future of local businesses. It shows the huge supermarket chains may not have such a strong hold on the whole food supply chain in future. It also means farmers and producers don’t have to only rely on big supermarkets to buy their produce. All in all I hope these trends continue as it’s good for consumers and business.

Kalon Huett | HospitalityHub | 23/04/2012 15:07 2

These certainly appear to be encouraging findings for the industry - especially given it is the first national research project of its kind to be undertaken.

We welcome thoughtful comments from readers Comment Guidelines The approval of your comment is at the discretion of this article's publisher. Write your comment with the following in mind to ensure the highest likelihood of it being approved: - No promotional undertones - No use of profanity - Good spelling, grammar and layout - Check punctuation, language and missing words - No use of aggression - No unsubstantiated claims We reserve the right to remove comments at our discretion. Your name is used alongside Comments.
Name:
Email:

Your Comment:

Confim Text: captcha img

Type the characters you see in this box. This helps us prevent automated programs from sending spam.

Related Directories News icon