The Victor Harbor Farmers Market is much more than just a market that supports local producers.
It supports a number of different groups within our community.
Today the Victor Harbor Farmers Market gave a cheque for thousand dollars to the Victor Harbor RSL to support and acknowledge veterans returning from deployment in the Middle East.
So proud to be part of a community that cares.
At last Saturday’s market the VHFM Committee presented Jess Stevens, Deputy Chair of the Fleurieu Community Foundation with a donation of $5,000.
The Foundation does excellent work in our community and our committee voted again, having donated the same amount last year, to donate to them this year.
In his speech about the donation, Market Chair, Neil Hosking said “All the committee members are volunteers, from the community and stallholders, who give their time to make sure the market runs smoothly.”
“Since it has been run by volunteers, over the last four years, the market has given back to the community more than $30,000, representing 85% of membership fees.”
In the photo, Front row Committee members Heather Marston, Julia Beckett, Chair Neil Hosking, Jess Stevens, Committee member Kris Aitchison, Back row Committee Members Gill Muller, Matt East.
Our Market is a not for profit organization.
We donate money each year, normally to local charities.
This year the Committee wanted to do something to help the farmers so badly affected by the floods in the Northern Rivers area in NSW.
We donated $2,000 to Blazeaid, knowing that they do such wonderful work helping farmers with clearing and Re fencing.
Yesterday at the market Mark and Leonie Cox representing the Fleurieu Community Foundation were there drawing attention to National Homelessness week, 1-7 August.
The Fleurieu Community Foundation, in collaboration with local agencies, are holding a free homelessness awareness forum on Wednesday 4 August 6.00pm at Chiton Rocks Surf Club.
See the poster or their page for more information. In early April this year the VHFM Committee donated $5,000 to the Foundation in recognition of the amazing work it does in our community.
Matt East and Chair Neil Hosking presenting Brad Butler from the Fleurieu Community Foundation with a donation of $5,000 on behalf of the Victor Harbor Farmers Market.
We are a not for profit organisation, and every year make donations to local groups or charities. The Committee looked at the amazing work Mark and the Fleurieu Community Foundation does in our local community, and voted unanimously to donate this money to them.
We have Fleurieu Cancer Support Foundation with us again this week selling tickets for their Christmas raffle.
And just look at these tomatoes that Francesco has at Virgara’s Garden! That colour!
Con and Harry are having a week off, and so is Healthy Sparkle.
The Fur Baby Baker is here with some very interesting looking treats for cats & dogs.
8.00am till 12.30pm.
We’ll have the SACWA Victor Harbor Evening Branch with us this Saturday, with a fully laden trading table. So make sure you visit them when you are doing your weekly shopping at or visiting the market, you’ll find some great food and crafts, and will be helping a group with a tremendous history of community service.
The Victor Harbor Farmers Market Committee, on behalf of it’s members this week donated $3,000 to Island Care Inc and $2,000 to the SA Bushfire Appeal to assist in the recovery efforts on Kangaroo Island, and the Adelaide Hills after the devastating bushfires.
The Victor Harbor Farmer's Market is looking forward to a solid summer season. Winter can be bleak, but due to a loyal band of customers and stallholders they continue to keep a tradition going that has been going for 11 years in December.
Seven stallholders have been part of the Victor Harbor Farmer's Market (VHFM) since it inception.
The VHFM is a not-for-profit incorporated association and has donated $9900 in the 2018/19 financial year to groups who need assistance.
MARKET STALWARTS: At back are Neil Hosking, Harry Mantzaraptis, Albert Conterno
and in front are Francesco Virgara, Gina East, John Muller, Matt East.
HELPED START IT: Brenton Tamblyn was the first manager of the Victor Harbor Farmer's Market in December 2008.
The inaugural manager of the VHFM Brenton Tamblyn remembers proudly the origins of the market and the amount of money it has donated to key groups.
"The market offers something different in produce and it is a community with an identity of its own. Initially it was established by the City of Victor Harbor and with this support we have created a special service to the community," Brenton said.
"Over the 11 years, the market has donated significantly to charities and the community, in particular to groups like the Salvation Army, Royal Flying Doctor Service, Bradley's House, the Community Garden and schools in the region."
Brenton has always been a constant at the market and runs a stall each Saturday morning from 8am to 12.30pm. Like all stallholders, Brenton is there rain, hail or shine.
"We put growers and producers directly in touch with customers and Grosvenor Gardens really does come alive each Saturday," he said.
"The place is full of character and we are a family. I would like to give credit to former chair of the VHFM Jane Williams. She is a passionate foodie, very generous and well liked. It is what the market is about."
Did you know that since 2016 the Victor Harbor Farmers Market has been giving every family that stays at Bradley’s Place $50 in market vouchers, plus market membership for the day?
These families are staying at Bradley’s Place in Inman Valley on respite, whilst dealing with childhood cancer.
Before the Market took over donating the vouchers Neil from VICTORFISH had been donating his own for a number of years.
They get 10 $5 vouchers, so they can use them all at one stall, or spread them around. As well as the 10% discount the membership provides.
A lovely way of helping these families, and introducing them to one of Saturday’s must visits in Victor Harbor.