* AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM MT CLAREMONT FARMERS’ MARKET *

Dear stallholders, patrons and loyal supporters of Mount Claremont Farmers’ Market, 

As you all would be aware, restrictions from the State and Federal authorities around movements of the general public and retail shopping activities are growing more stringent by the day, and the risks to the health and well-being of vulnerable members of our community and the health system as a whole more of a concern. 

The Committee is very aware of the role that Mount Claremont Farmers’ Market provides to supply fresh food to the public and in facilitating a venue for stallholders to trade.  The Australian Farmers’ Market Association (AFMA) has recently issued a fact sheet providing guidance to organisers of farmers markets (https://farmersmarkets.org.au/), most notably recommending adherence to permissible site numbers that already apply to indoor and outdoor static public gatherings and other quite difficult controls and processes around timed shopping access for patrons, restricting patron numbers and compliance to social distancing rules. 

The Committee has considered an alternative venue to potentially operate the Market on an interim basis.  As a volunteer-led and non-commercially supported venture, we feel that we could not be assured of our compliance with the current state restrictions, let alone likely increasingly stringent restrictions at an alternative venue.  The change in venue also creates complications with our current insurance policy.

We do understand that this decision to temporarily suspend the Market has had a large impact on stallholders’ businesses and our patrons supporting our producers in being able to shop as they usually shop.  Everyone is being affected in some way by this global event.  We take the impact of suspending the Market very seriously and with deep regret.  Be assured of our intention to regroup and reopen as soon as possible.

We are happy to continue to use our social media platforms to make patrons aware of any alternative trading arrangements or delivery options you may have as stallholders or assist in any other way we can. 

Yours sincerely, 

Mount Claremont Farmers’ Market Committee

25 March 2020