MURWILLUMBAH FARMERS’ MARKET – A WIN FOR ALL

By Sarah Waters

From humble beginnings, Murwillumbah Farmers’ Market has grown from 11 stalls under the shed to an award-winning must-see market with close to 50 stallholders selling some of the region’s best produce.

Last Wednesday, ‘Murbah’ Farmers’ Market took out the award for community sustainability at the 2023 Tweed Sustainability Awards.

Judges recognised how the market supports local farmers and educates the community about the importance of eating fresh, local, and seasonal food.

Special mention was given to how the market has also helped to significantly reduce waste each week.

Stallholders at the market now use donated crockery to serve their produce.

It is washed by the market’s Assistant Manager Gavin Powell so it can be re-used the following week, which has resulted in a 75 per cent reduction in rubbish being thrown out.

The initiative has also helped to cut down costs for the stallholders, who no longer have to spend as much on paper cups and plates.

The local win at the Tweed Sustainability Awards, comes off the back of a major national win.

A few weeks ago, the market was chosen as the People’s Choice 2023 Winner of Australia’s Outstanding Farmers Market at the Harvey Norman and Delicious Produce Awards.

The region’s food producers were acknowledged for their incredible resilience during the extreme weather events over the past few years.

The market was again recognised for delivering an important and valuable community asset that contributed to local wellbeing and economic health.

Market Manager Claire Strodder said the recent wins were wonderful for the community and the stallholders.

“It was amazing – when I got the phone call about our national win I almost fainted,” Ms Strodder said.

“In the last few months, we’re seeing people who are coming to the markets to connect with people and the community – we’ve got mother’s groups coming and Rotary members – it’s become a meeting spot.

“People might end up buying some bananas and maybe getting a coffee, but we also have our very dedicated weekly shoppers as well.

“It’s just been wonderful the atmosphere and that community connection,” she said.

The Murwillumbah Farmers’ Market was established in 2011 to provide farmers in the Tweed Valley with a place to sell their produce.

Everything on offer is made or grown by the stallholders, which has not only reduced food miles, but has created a paddock to plate connection.

A discerning and health-conscious customer base, who wants to know where their food is coming from, has helped the market gain a dedicated following.

Other people simply enjoy chatting with the friendly market folk each week.

The community has also stood behind its farmers, who have struggled through the significant weather events.

The Murbah Farmers’ Markets management committee, from left, Bronwyn Yeldham, Claire Strodder, Jodie Viccars, Jeremy Gudsell, Will Everest, Gavin Powell, Gary Miller.

Most of the farmers lost all their seedlings and produce during the 2022 floods and more recently during the hailstorms.

Ms Strodder said covid sparked a big interest in the market with some stallholders reporting sales going up by 50 per cent during that time.

“People just didn’t want to go into the shopping centres, they were wanting to be outdoors,” she said.

“To make the space, so we could social distance, we moved all the vegetable and food stalls outside and then we just grew even more.

“Covid was a massive game changer for that, and it also brought to the forefront where our food is coming from.

“When things couldn’t get through borders, we had all this amazing local produce on our doorstep.

“We’re in such an amazing part of the world where we have access to all this food that can mostly be grown locally all year around.”

Ms Strodder took on the role of market manager 18 months ago, after years of being a dedicated marketgoer herself.

She also worked at one of the farmer’s stalls while she was on a working holiday visa 10 years ago.

“It’s just amazing to see it all come full circle,” she said.

“Our farmers are incredibly resilient and passionate they turn up every week because they want to supply the community with their produce.”

Eleven local farmers’ and producers were the founding stallholders of the Murwillumbah Farmers’ Markets with some of them still selling there today.

All people are welcome to attend the market, held every Wednesday morning, from 7am – 11am, at the Murwillumbah Showground.

Close to 50 stallholders offer a wide range of local produce, including organic fruit and vegetables, freshly baked sourdough breads, seafood, fermented foods and drinks, honey, eggs, chutneys, raw treats and great coffee.

If you are able to donate crockery, including ceramic plates, bowls and glass jars, to the Murwillumbah Farmers’ Market please contact Claire Strodder at: manager@murwillumbahfarmersmarket.com.au or on 0415 328 672. It will help the market to continue to reduce waste by supplying stallholders with reusable items to serve their food.

For more Murwillumbah News, click here.

Hold a garage sale this Second Hand Saturday!

ADVITORIAL

Second Hand Saturday – the North Coast’s biggest day of garage sales is back again and registrations to hold a garage sale are now open.

Over this month, Northern Rivers Council’s together with North East Waste, are hosting a series of free workshops for Buy Nothing New Month, to encourage reuse and repair over landfill. This year, Second Hand Saturday will conclude these celebrations and be held on one date only – Saturday 4 November.

Linda Tohver from North East Waste is inviting people to get involved in this year’s event, held across the Council areas of Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Kyogle, Richmond Valley, Lismore and the Clarence Valley.

“With millions of tonnes of waste being sent to landfill by Australian households every year, the humble garage sale is one of the easiest ways we can reduce the amount of ‘stuff’ ending up in landfill,” Linda said.

Selling pre-loved goods and buying second hand is a great way to keep items circulating within our community, especially when many of us are looking at options to reduce the cost of living.”

Second Hand Saturday Poster

Residents who register for Second Hand Saturday will once again have the option of holding their own garage sale, or to organise a joint sale with family and friends.

“We always encourage people to join forces with their local community to attract more attention – get your neighbours involved and hold a street sale, run a fundraiser or collate your efforts at your local club, school or church.  That’s just one of our tips for the day to get the crowds to your sale!” Linda said.

This year all registered garage sale addresses will appear in local newspapers, with full details listed on the Second Hand Saturday website. All you need to do is register online at www.secondhandsaturday.com.au before 25 October to ensure your address will be printed in your local newspaper. Alternatively, as listings go live after the registration process is complete, you can still register up until the 3 November, for a web-only listing.

For more information, visit the Second Hand Saturday website www.secondhandsaturday.com.au, follow the mysecondhandsaturday Facebook page or contact your local Council.

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One lane on Murwillumbah bridge to close for essential works

Traffic delays expected Monday to Thursday from late September – Tweed Shire Council is urging motorists to plan ahead and seek alternative routes between the CBD and South Murwillumbah for up to four weeks from 25 September when essential works to upgrade the town’s main sewer main are undertaken.

Traffic delays and detours can be expected during these vital works, when the Wollumbin Street bridge will be reduced to a single lane – one way traffic only into the Murwillumbah CBD – to allow workers to complete the necessary upgrade safely. Detours will be in place for outbound traffic.

Acting Director Engineering Tim Mackney said the current upgrade follows the successful completion of the preceding sewer upgrades along Wollumbin Street last year and Alma Street the year before.

“This project is critical to replace essential sewerage infrastructure – which is approaching the end of its serviceable life – and connect previously upgraded infrastructure on either side of the bridge,” Mr Mackney said.

“This upgrade will not only prevent service failure and potential pollution of the Tweed River but also paves the way for future development in South Murwillumbah, including the industrial estate. Council is committed to delivering essential infrastructure upgrades to meet the growing needs of the community.”

To ensure the project’s success and the safety of both road users and our workers, site preparation works will commence on Wednesday 20 September. These initial preparations will not impact traffic flow and will allow Council to proceed smoothly into the next phase.

From Monday 25 September, one lane on the bridge will be closed during work hours, which will cause delays. The other lane and footpath will remain open under traffic control measures.

The works are expected to take up to four weeks to complete, weather permitting.

Motorists are urged to plan ahead and seek alternative routes between the CBD and South Murwillumbah while works take place.

“Council is particularly conscious of the potential impacts of these works and will ensure one lane of the bridge remains open for motorists inbound to the CBD, meaning residents and businesses continue to have access to this essential thoroughfare,” Mr Mackney said.

“Detours will be in place for outbound traffic via Cane Road, using Queensland Road or Tumbulgum Road, or Bakers Road and Mistral Road.

“Following feedback from the community, we have altered our traffic arrangements to lessen the impact on surrounding businesses. Crews will now work Monday to Thursday to allow easier access on Fridays which businesses tell us is a busy day. Work hours will also now be from 6 am to 6 pm to complete as much work as possible before schools return.

“We understand the inconvenience this may cause and apologise for any disruptions however this approach ensures the safety of our workers and minimises any potential risks associated with working at height and conducting works at night.

“Importantly, we have scheduled the start of these works to coincide with the September school holidays when traffic volumes are reduced. We are also considering weekend work after school resumes, dependent on traffic impacts and work progress. Our primary goal is to complete this project efficiently while minimising inconveniences to the community.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation during this essential project, which will benefit our community in the long run.”

Electronic signage will be in place before works start. Information about traffic disruptions will be published on Council’s roadworks and closures page at tweed.nsw.gov.au/roadworks as well as Live Traffic NSW

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