LAUNCESTON is about to welcome its first fully accredited weekly farmers' market.
Meat, fish, vegetables, exotic produce like saffron and wasabi, fruit, eggs and fresh herbs are all on the menu with 30 stalls already booked for the first market this Saturday.
Called Harvest Launceston, the community farmers' market is opening in tandem with Northern Tasmania's premier food and wine event, Festivale, but will operate solo thereafter.
The idea to sell produce at market is not new nor is it rocket science - ``so why's it taken so long?'' asks Jane Adams, national representative of the Australian Farmers' Markets Association.
``Tasmania is such a cornucopia of fabulous quality produce that it makes sense to offer shoppers the chance to buy direct from the producer,'' Ms Adams said.
The point of difference with Harvest Launceston is that it is a fully-accredited farmers' market to the national standard.
So don't expect candles, pottery or scented soaps.
As Ms Adams explained: ``You could let a ceramicist sell platters thinking that complements food, but if that platter costs $40, then that's $40 that shopper cannot spend on the mainstay of your market - fruit, vegetables and meat.
``I liken my role in coming to town to cross-check plans with the organisers, stallholders and community stakeholders and give the market its roadworthy certificate.
``This particular organising committee has put in serious hard work to get a market of this calibre up and running.
``Everyone who is going to be involved needs to understand what's required to hold a sustainable market and how to maximise its worth, both to farmers and consumers alike.''
Ten weeks of solid work has gone into organising Harvest Launceston, but it comes from long-held dreams of two disparate parties.
Kieryn Deutrom, of the Department of Primary Industries, had independently sent letters to the national body exploring how to go about setting up a market.
Ms Adams had heard from Stillwater restaurant operators Kim Seagram and Rod Ascui that there was a group, led by Jenny Edis, also in discussions about the possibility of a farmers' market.
``Hey, you guys need to meet and work together, was my advice,'' Ms Adams said.
Ms Deutrom is Harvest Launceston's market manager and Ms Edis is the president.
``The number one criteria for a farmers' market is that it is educational and diverse for the consumer,'' Ms Adams said.
``A shopper needs to be confident that they can go to your market and know that they will be able to fill their basket with all the ingredients needed to put dinner on the table for the family that night.
``To be sustainable the market has to be well-managed, there needs to be a strong working relationship between the committee and all stakeholders.
``If you do the hard yards to set up a solid framework it should be easier to manage going forward.''
Ms Adams was in Launceston to brief a stakeholders' meeting last Monday on guidelines that have proven successful for other markets around Australia and New Zealand.
``Tasmania is natural for a farmers' market - it's a state of abundance,'' Ms Adams said.
``Everything grows here and Launceston is central for all growers to get their produce to market.
``I know vendors in New South Wales who happily drive eight hours to get their meat to market because they know that they can earn up to $4000 for their effort.
``The secret is to ensure produce is top quality, fresh and reliable in supply.''
TO MARKET
WHAT: Harvest Launceston, a community farmers' market.
WHERE: Cimitiere Street car park (opposite the Grand Chancellor hotel) in Launceston.
WHEN: Opens this Saturday, then every Saturday, 9am to 1pm.
INQUIRIES: harvestmarket.aug.au
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