Ms Richmond said the market was a great way to catch up with friends and family in the local community. Photo: Nethercote Produce Market.
A fresh produce market known for tying together its local community every four months is back to celebrate its 50th market.
Held every fourth Saturday in January, April, July and October from 8 am to 12 pm within the Bega Valley, regardless of public holidays and weather, is the Nethercote Produce Market.
It has been operating since 2009 and is best known for selling a wide variety of in-season fruits and vegetables such as avocados, beetroots, broad beans, capsicums, daikon radishes, garlic, hazelnuts, herbs, lettuces, lemons, mandarins, onions, oranges, oysters, parsley, potatoes, rhubarb, silver beet, snow peas, spring onions, sweet potato and more.
Nethercote Produce Market president Michelle Richmond said that after a few breaks caused by COVID-19, having the market operate again was a very valuable way to reconnect the community.
“The 50th market, taking place this October, is a great celebration of what can be achieved when just a few people come together to deliver a dream, and we acknowledge Karen Lott and Barbara Toner for their vision (to start up the market) so many years ago,” Ms Richmond said.
“We also acknowledge members of the Nethercote community who continue to come together and fundraise to ensure that the Nethercote Community Hall is a venue to be proud of.
“Turning a dilapidated building into a thriving community hub has been the product of many years of hard work, and the results are something for the residents to be proud of.”
Ms Richmond said people should expect about 15 to 20 stallholders offering fresh, good quality, home-grown produce.
“It’s an intimate market, but what makes it special is the community that comes to connect, do some shopping, enjoy a cuppa and freshly baked goods and live music,” she said.
“It’s certainly a chance to come and enjoy a few hours catching up with friends and to strengthen connections that help us all feel better about ourselves and our locality.
“We pride ourselves on the purely local produce that is available, and we embrace the true ethos of a farmers market where you connect with growers.”
Ms Richmond said people should get in quick as cabbage and cauliflower would sell out quickly at the upcoming spring market. Photo: Nethercote Produce Market.
As part of the 50th celebration, the market president said there would be a morning tea, a breakfast barbecue, a hamper raffle and live music.
“In regards to our live music, the Stonewave Taiko drummers will be performing and providing visitors with an opportunity to try drumming out for themselves,” Ms Richmond said.
“We will also have free tomato seedlings to give away on the day.”
The Nethercote Spring Produce Market will take place on Saturday 22 October, from 8 am to 12 pm.
Ms Richmond said that what makes the Nethercote market unique, was that it donated a large portion of its profits to a worthy food-related cause.
“You can show your support by buying your morning cuppa from the morning tea stall, fruit and veggies from the growers’ stall, or raffle tickets for the bumper market hamper that contains samples of delicious goodies from each of the stallholders,” she said.
“Our visitors can be reassured that there is something interesting for everyone at our market, from local oysters, to bread, wine, flowers, cakes, citrus, preserves, cheese and plenty of good vibes.”
If people are interested in selling their own homegrown produce, Ms Richmond said they could do so through the market’s growers’ stall. They are to be dropped off to Nethercote Hall between 3 pm and 4 pm on Friday afternoon the day before the market, or before 8 am on market day.
To find out more about the 50th market celebrations, visit the Nethercote Produce Market.
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