Here is a lovely article we would like to share with you. It is a real life story about how the Bendigo Community Farmers Market saved a farm.
Spring Creek Organics are a perfect example of what the Bendigo Community Farmers Market is always saying: that shopping at farmers markets benefits our local farmers, and keeps quality, fresh produce from disappearing from our supply chain. This is a true story of how farmers markets literally saved a farm.
Stallholders David and Lisa Tatman started a small farm on five acres in 1993, selling to wholesale markets. Over time, the farm grew from the original five to 30 acres, and seven years ago they moved to 88 acres in Navigators, Victoria (near Ballarat).
Then things started to go sour. They were not selling as much; agents would ask them to grow a certain amount and then not take the goods; their income, by now solely dependent on the Melbourne wholesale market, dropped by 50% in a year; their finances began to go backwards. Eventually they realised they only had six months before they would lose all they had worked so hard for. David and Lisa made the decision to try selling at a few farmers markets – and things began to turn around.
Now the pair exclusively sells their wide range of certified organic vegetables directly to shoppers at farmers markets and from their farm gate shop, and the farm is going strong. They now grow a much larger range, in smaller quantities of each.
Lisa says, “I can honestly say that doing Farmers Markets has saved our farm. The bank was ready to take the farm but we decided to have one more go and do farmers markets. Thank you so much to all our customers and market managers that see the importance of supporting your local farmer, because without you guys, we would not be still farming today.”
Find the Spring Creek Organics stall at this month’s market on Saturday 14 June, from 9 am til 1 pm at Sidney Myer Place.
For more information on the Bendigo Community Farmers Market, please call Hayley Davis on 0498 186 491, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.bcfm.org.au. To speak with Lisa or David Tatman from Spring Creek Organics, call 03 5334 7838 or 0419 528 057, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..