Minutes of Farmers Market Committee Meeting
Thursday 8 August 2013, 10.00 a.m.
Kate’s home, A****** St, Moruya
1. Attendance/apologies
Present: Kate Raymond, Geoff Scott, Stuart Whitelaw, Sandra Makdessi, Isabelle Hennequin, Jock Quirk
Apologies: Adrian Cram Penny Cook Hughen McConaghy
2. Minutes of previous meeting
Minutes were accepted by Kate and seconded by Geoff.
Matters arising
- All-weather venue – Stuart advised that following a positive initial meeting with the ‘Matrix’ group at Council, he will be presenting 3 options for consideration to Council after the meeting. Those present indicated that the western option (near the boat ramp) was their least favoured.
- Stuart to meet with Council to discuss further options.
- Farm visits – Kate, Sandra and Stuart have visited Shoalhaven Mushrooms which was very successful. The sound on the video was not of a good standard so Kate has arranged to shoot it again.
- Kate, Sandra to revisit next week.
- Stall holder reps on committee – One primary producer would be an asset.
- Kate to follow up with further canvassing of stall holder
- Meeting with General Manager – Sandra and Stuart met with Dr Catherine Dale to discuss SAGE and the farmers market. The proposal for a fee reduction on the basis of time duration and day of the week was floated. A report recommending consideration of a variation to the license agreement will go before Council on 27 August. Stuart will speak on the issue before the meeting.
- Stuart to submit report to Council.
- Chicken Tandoor and satays/ chocolate sellers – Committee has suggested looking at the market rules about food products that are not manufactured in Australia.
- Kate to redraft rules for secondary and tertiary producers regarding overseas ingredients.
3. Any other business
- There has been a deputation to Council from local traders concerned about the negative impact of the markets on main street business. It is understood that the main concern is with the Saturday Markets.
- Noted.
- DL Flyer – it was resolved to produce a limited run DL flyer for spring and summer.
- Isabelle, Kate, Sandra
- Market signage – Stuart to look at a fabric sign that could be attached to the tree guards explaining the basic market rules, starting times, and smoke free zone.
- Stuart
- Advertising in school newsletters.
- Sandra/Isabelle
- Stall positions and power – there will need to be some re organisation for the busy period to allow power access for those who need it.
- Noted.
- E-commerce forum – pending the sourcing of funds to develop an e-commerce facility for the SFM website, a forum will be held inviting stakeholders to table their ideas and questions to help shape the design of the system.
- Kate to consult with stallholders and broader community. Stuart to contact Council.
- Backyard growers (non-commercial growers) – resolved to allow backyard stalls as part of SAGE stall. Proposed costs $7 per grower and they must be a member of SAGE.
- Kate to draft rules.
Next Meeting – 10am Thursday September 5 at Penny Cook’s.
No further business. The meeting closed at 11.30 a.m.