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Farmers Markets
Farmers Markets are popping up all over country Australia, with many describing it as a food revolution. For producers these markets provide an opportunity to sell produce directly to customers and to grow and produce small amount of different ingredients. Visitors to farmers markets seem to like the intereaction they get with meeting the grower/producer of the food they're about to buy. Shoppers also get to purchase 'really' fresh in-season ingredients, often organically grown.

The Australian Farmers Market Association recently launched a website which covers the many markets across the country, visit it here. You can also read their current media release here.

Phillippa & Andrew from Phillippa's This is our look at some of the biggest farmers markets in Melbourne and regional Victoria.

St Kilda Farmers' Market
Peanut Farm Oval, between Chaucer & Spenser Streets, St Kilda
We've been mighty impressed with the range of stalls and the quality of what's on offer here. On our last visit we spotted a seasonal selection of apples, pears and early quinces, plus fresh greens, biodynamic eggs and organic wines. There was olive oil, fresh herbs, organic garlic and a whole lot more. If hunger pains hit the offerings from the wood-fired pizza trailer will fix you up quick smart. Parking is a breeze and the setting for the market by the Veg Out Community Gardens is a delight. The market is held on the first Saturday of each month, at 8am.

Boroondara Farmers' Market
Patterson Reserve, Auburn Rd, East Hawthorn
Third Saturday of every month
This market offers an array of beautiful produce to Hawthorn locals. Lots of fruit and vegetables (much of it organic), olive oil, cakes and biscuits, olive oil and a whole lot more. Another star attraction here is the Phillippa's bread tent - complete with Phillippa herself and baker/husband Andrew. The beautiful loaves sell like hotcakes, so get in quick.

Philip Island Farmers' Market
Churchill Island Philip Island 5664 0036
Fourth Saturday of each month
Stunning views over Westernport Bay from Chruchill Island as you shop for fab fresh food and sample a sausage fresh off the barbecue.

Farmers market fresh Hume-Murray Food Bowl Farmers' Market
Gateway Village Lincoln Causeway (between Albury & Wodonga)
0438 582 996 or 02 6058 2996
Every second Saturday
This fantastic Farmers' Market bring together all the producers of the Hume-Murray Food Bowl Area. Covering a big chunk of Victoria and NSW, it offers a diverge range of produce from olives, olive oil, fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, silver perch, wines, heritage seeds, sourdough breads, to fresh herbs, herbal teas, beef, trout, nuts, all manner of preserves, pickled eggplants and free-range eggs.

South Gippsland Farmers' Market at Koonwarra
Behind Koonwarra Store South Gippsland Highway Koonwarra
First Saturday of each month
As with all Farmers' markets the variety of produce varies from season to season. Expect to see eggs, farmhouse cheese, smoked meats, chickens, olives, honey, vegetables, herbs, cakes, plants and berries.

Cardinia Ranges Farmers' Market
Pakenham Racecourse Racecourse Road Pakenham
5940 2597 or 5940 1427
Second Saturday of the month 8am-12pm
This Farmers' Market showcases Cardinia's diverse range of produce including boutique wines, freshly harvested asparagus, gourmet pestos and sauces, organic fresh herbs, native plants, organic teas, smoked meats and farmhouse cheeses. Grab yourself a coffee and an egg and bacon roll too.

Drouin Farmers' Market
Civic Park Young Street Drouin
5627 6469
Third Saturday of each month
Food producers from the West Gippsland area gather here every month to sell their wares. Most come from the Gourmet Deli Trail region, with a few from the surrounding area. Produce varies to suit the season, but always a good selection of fruit and vegetables, herbs, preserves, nuts, bread, poultry, smoked meats, fresh cut flowers, plants and vegetable seedlings.

Yarra Valley Farmers' Market
The Barn Yering Station Winery, Melba Highway Yering
9513 0677
Third Sunday of the month
Here you have a great opportunity to taste the best of the Yarra Valley and meet the growers who bring the ingredients to our tables. The Barn at Yering Station is a wonderful location for this relaxed market experience, where virtually everything is available for tasting. Just who is at the market changes by the month, so you could get the chance to try Yarra Valley trout, tomatoes or organic vegetables, berries, sausages, honey or even spring water. Cunliffe & Waters often set up shop and showcase their huge range of preserves, cakes, meringues and jams - if you haven't tasted their Willamette raspberry jam you haven't lived. Yarra Valley ice-cream is another stall to seek out - try the truly amazing Kennedy & Wilson chocolate mousse ice-cream. Fruition's bread and toasted muesli.

Collingwood Children's Farm Farmer's Market
St Heliers Street Yarra Bend Abbotsford
9417 5806 or 5664 0098 0429 146 627
Second Saturday of the month
Melbourne's first inner city farmers' market has been a rip roaring success from the moment it flung open the farm gates. All stallholders have the philosophy of selling goods they have grown and/or made, so naturally this equates to the best quality ingredients. You'll find seasonal produce, artisan cheese, smoked meats, sourdough breads, olive oil, free-range chicken and eggs. Entry is by gold coin donation to help with the upkeep of this brilliant childrens farm and you can stay and make a day of it.

The Lancefield and District Farmers Market
Main Street, Lancefield
Fourth Saturday of the month, 9am-1pm (in December on the Third Saturday)
Lancefield is located between Woodend and Kilmore in the Macedon Ranges. This market promises vegies, cheese, organic goats cheeses, pork, seasonal vegetables, compost, olives and herbal teas. Other conventional products include; fine wines, mead, honey, eggs, poultry, plants, herbs, jams, olive oil, olives, cut flowers, fruits, community sausage sizzle, hydroponic tomatoes, potatoes and more.

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