01 March 2006

In response to the growing interest in local food systems New Zealand Farmers’ Markets Association supported by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is running a series of 8 ‘Fresh Thinking’ workshops.

At five centres in the North Island, and three in the South, attendees will hear about the economic, social and nutritional benefits garnered from Farmers’ Markets.

The sessions are aimed at potential stallholders, market managers, community leaders and stakeholders, nutritionists, and those interested in being involved locally in the fast growing global phenomenon of farmers’ markets. At present New Zealand boasts approximately one dozen farmers’ markets from Kerikeri to Invercargill.

The workshops will be presented by Jane Adams, Chair of the Australian Farmers’ Markets Association, and Ian Thomas, interim Chair of the New Zealand association. Jane has been consulting on market start-ups and growth strategies since 1998 whilst Ian was one of the founding stallholders of the Hawke’s Bay farmers’ market in 2000.

Ian says that “As well as the obvious benefits of buying fresh produce from your local grower, markets have proved to be excellent testing grounds and incubators for food producers”. He sites five businesses that began life at the Hawke’s Bay market going on to export. “

Dates and Local hosts

Further enquiries to:

Ian Thomas: email info@farmersmarkets.org.nz telephone06 879 8393

mobile 0274 244 7204