Stallholders ‘blown away’ as 3000 decide Saturday’s market day

A BIG crowd attended the Casey-Berwick Farmers’ Market held at the Old Cheese Factory in Berwick for the first time on Saturday, 27 January.
The Rotary Club of Berwick and stallholders were overwhelmed with the community support market at its new location with a crowd of about 3000 visiting on the Saturday morning.
The market has shifted its opening day from the first and third Thursdays of the month to the fourth Saturday of the month.
Market manager Geoff Rankin said the 31 fresh produce stallholders in attendance were ‘blown away’ with the positive response from customers.
Many stalls sold out within the first two to three hours of the market.
However, a few lucky local growers were able to arrange delivery of additional stock during the market.
Mr Rankin said current stallholders planned to substantially increase stock for the February market and additional stallholders had been appointed in particular to extend further the product range including dairy cheese and venison.
The Rotary Club of Berwick will provide additional food to eat on the day such as egg and bacon rolls.
“It was particularly pleasing to the Rotary Club of Berwick to see so many families with young children at the market buying up big on fresh produce and generally enjoying the surrounds of the Old Cheese Factory with its playground, picnic areas and expanse of well-manicured gardens,” Mr Rankin said.
Many growers commented that with this site and continued community support, the Casey-Berwick Farmers’ Market had the potential to be the best farmers market in Melbourne.
Mr Rankin said the Berwick Rotary Club was aiming for this objective by accepting only stallholders with high quality produce and product mix.
The next Casey-Berwick Farmers’ market is on Saturday, 24 February from 8am to 12.30pm at 34 Homestead Road, Berwick.
Inquiries about the markets can be made by calling 9769 4459.