The fate of Maitland’s fresh food revolution in the city’s heart rests with Maitland councillors.
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Maitland council has confirmed its councillors will vote on plans to hold a fortnightly market in The Levee.
Fairfax Media understands the vote will take place at a meeting next Tuesday and the council’s recommendation to councillors will be made public on Friday.
The news has prompted farmer Matthew Dennis and Slow Food Hunter Valley leader Amorelle Dempster to urge the councillors to support the plan.
Mr Dennis helped emphasise the demand for local produce in March last year when 20 tonnes of his pumpkin crop were sold within 12 hours at an impromptu stall.
He was going to turn the crop into fertiliser because he’d barely break even selling it at the wholesale markets in Sydney.
The demand fueled a monthly produce market trial that saw up to nine growers selling their fruit and vegetables in the precinct.
Ms Dempster said the move had shown shoppers wanted to buy local produce and engage with the farmer who grew it.
She said farmers had increased their crop capacity to be able to cater for a fortnightly market and now grew a range of produce instead of huge amounts of a few varieties.
“The market is a chance to connect with Maitland’s agricultural heritage and engage the community with local food,” Ms Dempster said.
“We’ve already had a trial and that indicated there is a great need for local people to be able to access food grown locally.If we are going to feed the growing population in Maitland we have to rely on our farmers.”
Ms Dempster said the city’s agricultural based was unique and it needed to protect it and help it to flourish.
“This is the farmer’s livelihood, we’ve already asked them to increase their crops, and they’ve done that to help meet the demand,” she said.
Mr Dennis said he was counting on bringing his diverse range of produce to The Levee and he was ready to meet the demands of a fortnightly market.
“It’s definitely a lot better selling direct to the public and the customer can talk to us and find out how it’s grown.”