Woodend Community Farmers' Markets during COVID-19
Food markets are deemed essential services by both the federal and Victorian state governments. The Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group (MRSG), which runs the Woodend Community Farmers' Market, also recognises the essential nature of accredited farmers’ markets in ensuring local, ethical food security. Many families in the Macedon Ranges depend on these markets for their livelihood. In the interest of supporting local food producers and farmers and enabling residents to buy food during this critical time, the Woodend Community Farmers’ Market will continue throughout the COVID-19 crisis. The markets will be held on the first Saturday of each month, 9am to 1pm, at the corner of High and Forest Streets, Woodend, albeit in a drastically changed format and notwithstanding further advice from government authorities.
As a response to the crisis, the market will only offer essentials such as fruit, vegetables, fish, bread, coffee beans, honey, wine, dairy and meat. Customers are requested not to stay longer than they need. For that reason, there will be no produce swap stall, music, face-painting, seating arrangements, or hot food for sale at the market. All transactions are to be done by debit or credit card. MRSG volunteers will be controlling patronage levels and reducing stall density to comply with social distancing restrictions. Stallholders have been instructed not to sell to customers prior to 9am so please do not come early. Check the farmers' market status page at https://mrsg.org.au/farmersmarket-status for customer instructions and latest status update.
If you are unwell or have been around someone who is unwell, please don’t come to the market. Otherwise please do support our producers. The next Woodend Community Farmers’ Market will be on 2nd May.
David Gormley-O'Brien, President MRSG
Social distancing being observed at the Woodend Community Farmers’ Market on April 4th. Stallholders were very grateful for the continued support from Woodend residents.