With the popular monthly Golden Plains Farmers’ Market currently cancelled due to COVID-19, Council has launched a new online resource to keep market vendors connected with buyers.
The Golden Plains Virtual Farmers’ Market will give lovers of fresh produce, products and handcrafted goods the ability to stock up on all their favourite items they have been missing while the market has been closed. This new initiative is part of Golden Plains Shire Council’s Be Kind to Business campaign, which is encouraging residents to support the Shire’s local businesses that are still trading.
The virtual market features the contact details of the regular market stallholders on the Be Kind to Business online business listing, allowing customers to contact and buy directly from these vendors. The Be Kind to Business page and Golden Plains Virtual Farmers’ Market can be found at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/business/be-kind-business.
In addition to the web page, Golden Plains Shire Council has published a stallholder listing in this week’s Golden Plains Times, and will be promoting the new initiative in the May edition of the Gazette, the Golden Plains Farmers’ Market e-newsletter, Golden Plains Business News, and on Council’s social media channels.
Market stallholders and businesses interested in being included in the Be Kind To Business campaign, can contact Council’s Investment Attraction & Business Support team at 5220 7111 or [email protected].
Golden Plains Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey says the virtual market is a great way to continue supporting producers and farmers from home.
“It not just our bricks and mortar businesses that are facing challenges due to COVID-19, but also the stallholders who rely on our monthly market to sell their goods.”
“The Golden Plains Virtual Farmers’ Market is all about keeping that link between vendors and their regular customers, and encouraging everyone to be kind and support our local businesses during this difficult time.”
“While we all miss strolling through the market and seeing the produce, food and the friendly vendors, this new platform is a great way to support our local stallholders until the much-loved market can return.”
This weekend’s market scheduled on Saturday 2 May was cancelled earlier this month, in line with the social distancing recommendations of the Australian Government and to contribute to minimising the potential spread of COVID-19 in an environment where products are handled in close proximity. This followed the cancellation of the April market on the same grounds.