“It’s later that the browsers arrive and wonder around the stalls, which is also great,” she said.
“The Victor Harbor Farmers Market is special because we have about 600 members, who only need to spend an average $8 a week to make their subscription fee ($40 and $30 seniors) work for them with the 10 per cent discount they receive.
“The atmosphere is just a beautiful thing. People really do love their market, and a lot has to do with the fact they are buying fresh fruit and veggies from local growers. They see them as the salt of the earth people.
“Our market is not just for foodies; I mean, it’s nice to have your jams, sauces and so on which is so important, but a majority come here just for the raw produce. The growers are simply supplying what people need.”
Lea has been in the job since late March, and was quickly surprised just how keen people were to buy quality home-grown produce at reasonable prices. “It’s definitely a growing trend in more ways than one,” she said.
“A demographer from KMG, a global advertising company, spoke at the Food SA Summit last April of how Goolwa and Victor Harbor were the fastest growing areas in this state, and personally I have no doubt the fresh produce people can buy across the Fleurieu Peninsula is part of the big attraction. We are very lucky.”
The Victor Harbor Farmers Market, which is held weekly at Grosvenor Gardens, is enjoying its fifth year, and most weeks has 23 stalls selling fresh fruit, veggies, breads, biscuits, eggs and many other tempting delights including superb coffee in the chill of the morn. It’s a natural experience.