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With the simple stroke of a pen, Bega’s farmers’ market will become a weekly event each Friday morning.
A Bega District News poll shows nearly 80 per cent of respondents support the move.
“Once we have signed a licensing agreement with council we will move towards being a weekly market,” South Coast Producers Association (SCPA) Market coordinator Susan Hill said on Friday.
“This is great news for what is traditionally a producers area of the country.
“The market stops people being isolated and we are localising things and selling seasonal healthy food, so it’s important for the health of the community.
“My vision for the market is that this is the hub of Bega providing a low impact local food economy and a vibrant community space every Friday,” Ms Hill said.
After eight months of delays, the motion to allow the market to run on a more regular basis was passed by Bega Valley Shire Council on Wednesday, April 27, amid much debate.
Concern over damage to council’s seven-figure gardens development work led Mayor Michael Britten to say he was cautious about the effect of up to 40 stalls per week.
Council staff suggested weekly markets would have a negative impact on the grass in Littleton Gardens, would limit the opportunity for the land to be used for public recreation and would have an adverse economic impact on surrounding retailers.
Ms Hill said this was not the case and many businesses have acknowledged the consumers the markets bring to the area.
“There has been a little bit of backlash through the process from the Chamber of Commerce, but Woolworths have acknowledged that they put extra staff on on market day,” she said.
“That is evidence the market is adding to the economy.”
A Google search of the phrase “Littleton Gardens Bega” produces three SCPA Market links among the top seven results on the page.
Ms Hill thanked councilors Keith Hughes and Liz Seckold for their support in driving the council’s approval of up to 40 stalls each Friday.
“I want to acknowledge that council is aware of what SCPA have been putting into the community and that it has completely been a community effort,” she said.
The market will also host an information tent each week aimed at encouraging growers to become involved.