Castlemaine Farmers Market is accredited with the Victorian Farmers Market Association (VFMA).
That means that our stallholders are the producers of what they sell - no onsellers or middlemen between you and the source. It means you can tap into the vast knowledge that our stallholders have about what they produce and how they do it.
And it means that the food is fresh, seasonal and from Victoria. By shopping at an accredited farmers market you contribute to the local economy, keep local farmers in business – and eat healthier to boot!
For more information, visit the VFMA website.
The Castlemaine Farmers Market has been supporting local farmers and providing fresh, local food to our community since 2005.
The Sunday monthly market is held on the first Sunday of every month, from 9 am to 1 pm, on the Western Reserve, Forest Street, Castlemaine.
NOTE: The Mount Alexander Shire Council has passed a local law that prohibits dogs from playing surfaces. If you bring your dog to the market please leave it tied up to any part of the fence to ensure your dog doesn't enter the defined market precinct.
The CFM Weekly market is now held on Camp Reserve (Forest Street near the Railway Station) every Wednesday all year round from 2:30pm - 5:30pm.
The market is run by a volunteer committee made up of stallholders and community members.
The mission of the Castlemaine Farmers Market is to promote a positive profile for food, wine and related products in the region and to encourage and support the economic viability of small scale farmers and producers.
The Castlemaine Farmers Market is a not for profit enterprise. Stallholder fees and other funds are used for the management, promotion and maintenance of the market.
ABOUT US
Local food, local producers
What does VFMA accreditation mean?
Market Guidelines
The Castlemaine Famers market operates under the following guidelines.
Produce should be sold by a person, family member or employee who is directly involved in the growing or making of the product. Resellers are not permitted to be vendors. Castlemaine Famers Market has made a small number of exceptions to this rule, where the reseller is a small business and the product is not currently available within 100km of the Castlemaine Farmers Market; and where the availability of the product will enhance the variety, choice and quality of what is on offer at the Castlemaine Farmers Market.
Food and beverages are produced in the Central Victoria region. The boundaries are flexible to a degree, but the region in general is regarded as bounded by Bendigo, Heathcote, Kyneton, Creswick and Avoca.
Goods sold at the market are limited primarily to primary produce (including small livestock), fresh food, and value added and processed edible produce. Exceptions to this list are potted herbs, food bearing plants, flowers, compost and natural fertilizers. Derivatives from herbs and livestock such as essential oils may be sold at the discretion of the committee.
Value-added products such as cheese, jams, chutneys and so on must be manufactured in Victoria and preference will be given to stallholders who grow their own ingredients. Produce from original stock that is not able to be grown locally, for example, tea and coffee, must be value-added in Victoria.
The market promotes quality, purity and freshness for all produce with particular emphasis on organic farming methods. Labeling of organic produce should be in accordance with industry guidelines and the origins of all produce should be clearly communicated. Certification of organic status must be displayed on organic stalls.
Understanding between the consumer and producer is increased through stallholders' interaction and discussion with their customers.
The market promotes the use of environmentally sensitive practices, including the use of recycled and cloth bags.
The market encourages the consumption of nutritional foods through the diversity of produce available.
The price of all produce should be clearly displayed by stallholders. Prices should represent ‘good value’ in the general market place (which shoppers will use as their benchmark).
Stallholders must follow best practice in food handling. Under the Food Act 1984 a statewide, single registration enables food stalls, mobile food premises and food vending machines to operate anywhere in Victoria. These food businesses must be registered (as a food stall, mobile food premises or vending machine) in the municipality in which they are based (or garaged). Class 4 food business which are exempt from registration are still required to notify councils of their intent to trade. For more information, contact 03 5471 1769.
Anyone selling alcoholic beverages must obtain the appropriate license from Liquor Licensing Victoria at the stallholder's expense. Information on liquor licenses may be found at www.liquor.vic.gov.au.
The Castlemaine Farmers Market aims to create an inviting and relaxed ambience to make it a positive and enjoyable experience for all.