Lancefield market turns 21

The Lancefield District Farmers’ Market turns 21 on Saturday (supplied).

What started as a tiny community project with just 23 stalls back in 2003, has blossomed in the last 21 years to host 85 local producers in a monthly market.

The Lancefield District Farmers’ Market will celebrate its 21st birthday on Saturday, March 23, to recognise its growth to a vibrant farmers market showcasing producers from the local and wider region.

The market was launched by market manager Meggs Hannes as part of a personal development course with the goal to offer a viable trading space for local producers to trade with local people.

“Twenty-one years on [the project has]… its ever-growing selection of super local producers- many from Lancefield, Romsey, Sunbury, Newham and surrounding regions,” Ms Hannes said.

“Each month the market features new producers and this month is no exception.”

Sonia and Stuart of Chin Chin Farm will make their market debut this Saturday, with a diverse selection of bushfoods products, lavender oil and products, an infused honey range all produced on their Macedon Ranges farm.

Larder Mouse Farm’s Lucy and Barnaby Olsson of Newham will also be making their market debut with rare breed, British White beef mixed boxes for sale.

Ms Hannes said the breed has been in existence since approximately the 1500s in the United Kingdom but severely declined to near extinction in the early 1900s.

“The market includes a seated lunch area at the east end as well as lunch options and picnic rugs at the west end under the lush canopy of the heritage listed centre plantation,” she said.

It runs from 9am to 1pm on the High Street of Lancefield. BYO bags, baskets and trolleys. Dogs are welcome on a leash, and there is free face-painting and live music.