THE Echuca Farmers Market hosted its final showcase on February 1, with the free event offering a unique opportunity for the community to engage with local producers and enjoy a variety of activities and giveaways.
Highlighting the market’s beverage stallholders, including Urban Cellars, Let’s Do Coffee, Sunrise Park, Peerick Wines, Kensal Estate Wines, and Nashi Juice, attendees enjoyed free samples, received amazing giveaways and more importantly engaged and learnt from local producers.
In addition to the special showcase, usual stall holders were all present with the event designed to feature and promote all 20 separate businesses over the six showcase run.
Alongside giving away 800 high-quality Echuca Farmers Market Hessian shopping bags and over 300 Echuca Farmers Market aprons, the showcase distributed tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of complementary product samples to 1,000 seated guests.
These samples were purchased from the stallholder’s courtesy of a state government grant, so no stallholder incurred costs.
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On top of this the showcase awarded numerous bonus lucky prizes to guests, including four Christmas hams, two large Christmas puddings, months' worth of preserves, kilos of coffee beans, and drinks hampers.
Victorian Farmers Markets Association (VFMA) Executive Officer, Sarah Parker said awarding of the Vic Grown Regional Produce Activation Grant highlighted the remarkable success and numerous benefits that regional producers and businesses can achieve when the government invests in farmers markets.
“Under the direction of Echuca Farmers Market manager, Tim Harley - who applied for the grant and facilitated the delivery of the events - the funding has provided crucial support to producers and small businesses, ensuring that both the community and visitors have continued access to sustainable, healthy, and locally grown food and produce whilst recovering from the impact of floods,” Ms Parker said.
Mr Harley reaffirmed the incredible benefits the grant had brought to the local community and stallholders.
“Thanks to this grant, we’ve hosted vibrant showcase events that have attracted wonderful crowds who asked insightful questions of our stallholders and connected deeply with the story and people behind their food," he said.
“It has been wonderful to see, fostering connections between consumers and local producers.
“These interactions not only educate and inspire but also strengthen the ties between our community and the incredible farmers and artisans who call this region home.
“In a time of rising costs, it was particularly rewarding to be able to give away so much amazing food to the public, showcasing the abundance and quality of our local produce.”
Mr Harley thanked the state government for the opportunity, which allowed market organisers to highlight the best of the region.
“This grant has truly made a difference—supporting our stallholders, growing our audience, and providing an unforgettable experience for our community,” he said.
“We look forward to building on this success and continuing to celebrate the incredible produce and people of Echuca and surrounding regions."
