Market foothold in city's centre
From the October 2008 edition of Agriculture Today.
Sydney basin stats
From Wyong in the north to Wollondilly in the south and the Blue Mountains in the west, 847 of the State’s 1645 vegetable farms produce 20 per cent of the State’s vegetables including:
- 90pc of Asian vegetables;
- 47.5pc of lettuce;
- 42pc of cauliflowers.
The Sydney Region imports 88pc of the vegetables it consumes from elsewhere in Australia and overseas.
- Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2005-06.
One avenue providing growers on small farms in the Sydney region the opportunity to get a better price is now running in the centre of Sydney.
They’re selling their produce direct to consumers at a new weekly farmers market, The Cook and Phillip Square Farmers and Fine Food Market, next to St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney’s CBD.
The new fresh food market is a partnership between Hawkesbury Harvest and the City of Sydney.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore hopes it will help re-energise the square at Cook and Phillip Park and "build on the Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision.
"The local and regional fresh produce straight from the farm is a catalyst for healthy and vibrant communities in and around the CBD, and will contribute to Sydney’s reputation as a great place to live," Ms Moore said.
NSW Department of Primary Industries urban agriculture leader, David Mason, foundation chair of Hawkesbury Harvest and current board member of the organisation, says next year a similar market will open at Penrith in partnership with Penrith City Council.
The Harvest was the proponent of the Castle Hill market, opened six years ago, then moved on to negotiate the recent opening of a second market at the new Rouse Hill Town.
Customers are flocking in, supporting high hopes for consumer support for the farmers’ markets.
However, Mr Mason says there are still significant challenges facing the Sydney region’s vegetable industry, its more than 1000 vegetable-growing families, and the community generally, related to the city’s capacity to make a reasonable contribution to its own vegetable supply.
Approximately 250 hectares are under greenhouse production.
"ABS figures indicate the South West Growth Centre will wipe out 186 vegetable farms in the Liverpool local government area alone," NSW Department of Primary Industries urban agriculture leader, David Mason, said.
"The increasing cost of fertilisers and availability of resources, such as water, challenge security of tenure and are critical to the sustainability of Sydney’s vegetable industry.
"High production costs make gaining an equitable price in the market place a crucial challenge.
The benefit to community health from partial self sustainability, food security, and the carbon footprint of food production in the region compared with other parts of the State are all part of assessing what level of production is reasonable for Sydney to contribute, Mr Mason said.
Contact David Mason, Richmond, 0411 128 456, david.mason@dpi.nsw.gov.au
