Minutes of Farmers Market Committee Meeting
Thursday 6 February 2014, 12.30 p.m.
SAGE Garden, Moruya
1. Attendance/apologies
Present: Kate Raymond, Vivienne Moss, Sandra Makdessi, Stuart Whitelaw
Apologies: Isabelle Hennequin, Penny Cook, Hughen McCongaghy, Geoff Scott
2. Minutes of previous meeting
Minutes were accepted by Kate and seconded by Stuart.
Matters arising
- Farm visits – Luke Hemler’s property was visited by Kate, Sandra and Stuart and a profile is being prepared.
- Kate/Sandra
- Market financial sustainability – Contingent on meeting with council to discuss site fees.
- Graphic Design brief. One return brief has been received and another due tomorrow. If neither are suitable then the option to approach another designer – specifically Don and Russell (Inky Smudge) – was agreed. Stuart has removed himself from the appraisal panel.
- Kate/Sandra
- Helen and Dave’s request to sell pot plants – resolved to ask Jane Adams from Australian Farmers’ Market Assoc to advise.
- Kate
- E-commerce – further progress awaiting the logo resolution.
- Problem of producers advising they would be at the markets and then not turning up which creates gaps in prime positions. Kate suggested that a punitive approach was not in keeping with the spirit of our markets and that we ask stallholders as a matter of courtesy that she be notified 24 hours in advance of any changes.
- Kate
3. Financial Report
See attached.
4. Any other business
- Meeting with Council GM Dr Catherine Dale to discuss markets license. Main issues to be canvassed:
- Markets only require to be on site from 2pm to 6pm, so pro rata adjustment of license fees for time on site will be requested.
- How can Council help us get more people to the markets?
- Events at Riverside Park (including the farmers market) need some simple, modular sign support structures on the approaches to Moruya as well as adjacent to the Riverside Park sign.
- Suggest that recommendations of the food security summit be implemented regarding returning all income from farmers markets to not for profit groups promoting sustainable agriculture.
- Our markets are expensive compared to Bega ($12) and Saturday markets ($20), yet are barely financially sustainable.
- River Cottage relationship – Aim to continue to build on this to increase profile of both local growers and markets themselves. Possible tourism outcomes that may be of interest to council.
Next Meeting – 10am Thursday 6 March at the SAGE Garden (Kate’s place if raining).
No further business. The meeting closed at 7.30 p.m.