Vendors Needed For Farmers Market

Now that he has council permission to establish a farmers market in Dannevirke organiser Merlin Astley-Jones is busy seeking vendors.

He needs at least six to start. First preference will go to growers within the Tararua district “to keep the carbon footprint down” although anyone from over the boundary is welcome to apply.

Under the rules of the Farmers Market Association only three from each category - pork, vegetables, chutneys, cheese or eggs for example – can participate.

Nor are craft outlets allowed under the association’s criteria.

Welsh-born “small farmer” Mr Astley-Jones and his wife Jo are bringing their experience with them although they admit that some New Zealand regulations are a bit different. One is that all meat must be commercially killed.

The couple farm rare breeds on their 15 ha property, including Highland cattle, Welsh Black cattle, and Devon Black and Wessex Saddleback pigs.

“Basically it’s a case of if it goes into your mouth it can be sold,” says Mr Astley-Jones.

To retain the philosophical integrity however vendors must have been personally involved in the production/growing process.

Moving from Taihape where he tried unsuccessfully to start a Farmers Market the Astley-Jones’ did their local body research before deciding to move to Tararua and buy the Weber pub.

The council had been “extremely co-operative,” Mr Astley-Jones said.

The initiative has the thumbs up from Dannevirke retailers the community board’s chairman and businessman Ray Teahan said.

“Anything that brings people to town is a good thing.”

The farmers market will operate from the Allardice St carpark and will start as soon as vendor numbers are sufficient.