By Renee Wood
If you’re after the best local, organic and sustainable produce from Yarra Valley farmers and producers, then look no further than the Healesville Organic Farmers Market held every Saturday at Coronation Park.
Whether you’re after wholesome items to add to a picnic or something to take back to your holiday stay or home, the market has plenty of stalls to choose from.
Honey, eggs, cheese, bagels and baked goods, mushrooms, seedlings, flowers are available, while organic and sustainable items such as coffee, bread and breakfast cereal that are processed in the Yarra Valley are stocked by stall holders.
Healesville Organic Farmers Market manager Greg Liney said their motto is ‘think global, buy local, support local community’.
“We are focussed on food and allied products that are organic, sustainable and ethical, giving consumers a real choice in what they purchase to consume,” Mr Liney said.
“Customers are able to interact directly with the people who make or produce the products they purchase.”
The market has a long local history in the local area, launching its current form in September 2016, after taking over from the Yarra Valley Permaculture group who started a market in 2004 at the Healesville Railway Station.
The stall holders are driven by the desire to foster relationships with customers and shortening the supply chain to allow local growers and producers of synthetic chemical free produce to sell direct to the public.
“As we come into the local spring, summer and autumn growing season we will see the full range of locally grown, fresh, farm produce at the market,” Mr Liney said.
“We are excited to have recently added a local commercial mushroom grower to our weekly roster of stalls.”
Not only does the market offer the community a healthy and sustainable alternative for their weekly shopping, but they also give back after recently making a $1500 donation to the Lismore Organic Market who were impacted by the floods.
Best of all, you’ll be purchasing produce that is days or even weeks fresher than what is available in the supermarkets.
Visit the market on Saturday at Coronation Park, River St, Healesville between 8.30am – 12.00pm.
