General News

The two-year transition period for the new Country of Origin labelling requirements ended on 1 July 2018. Almost all vendors at farmers markets are required to comply with the new regulations for labelling. More information on what the requirements are can be found here. If your CoOL labelling is not compliant, now is the time … Continue reading ACCC takes cautionary approach to Country of Origin Labelling compliance

Contracted by NSW Department of Primary Industries, Digital Content Creator Debrah Novak travels NSW delivering video making workshops for primary producers. The three-hour, hands on workshops specialise in working with beginners to teach them how to use their smart phone or iPad to create a 1-2 minute video. Debrah has 25 years experience working within … Continue reading Smart phone video making workshops for primary producers

The Australian Farmers' Markets Association has announced that nominations are being accepted for a Producer Representative on the AFMA committee. Each state has been asked to submit two nominations for the position. From AFMA: "The Producer Representative is intended to represent the views, needs and issues facing food producers active in farmers markets. They should … Continue reading Nominations for Producer Representative – Australian Farmers’ Markets Association

The Australian Farmers' Markets Association is our national representative body. Founded in 2003, this volunteer-run organisation has been working to create a cohesive fellowship of farmers markets across Australia, committed to supporting farmers and local communities. Through many years of research both here and overseas, AFMA has developed a set of model rules that advocate … Continue reading Reminder: Annual update for farmers markets info on AFMA website now due

From the NSW Department of Primary Industries The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is undertaking a three year mapping program across nine regions in NSW commencing in August 2017 to assist local government and other organisations map important agricultural land. The program supports the NSW Department of Planning and Environment's regional planning targets that … Continue reading NSW Department of Primary Industries mapping important agricultural land

From the NSW Food Authority From 1 July 2018, local councils will regulate all domestic kitchens where food that will be sold directly to the final consumer is prepared. The NSW Food Authority will continue to regulate domestic kitchens that only sell food to other businesses, such as cafés, restaurants and supermarkets. When a food … Continue reading Change in regulations for home based food businesses from 1 July 2018

[Image of the Bega Valley showground pavilion sourced from the Bega Valley History Scrapbook and published here under Creative Commons licence.] Is your market conducted at your local showgound on Crown land? Then it's in your best interest to participate in the consultation process just announced by the NSW Department of Industry. Showgrounds are precious … Continue reading NSW Crown Showgrounds: survey and focus groups

The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission's new information standard around claims of free range eggs took effect on 26th April 2018. While opinions differ on what a hen needs to truly range freely, "free range" is defined by the ACCC as a maximum of 10,000 birds per hectare, or one bird per square metre of … Continue reading Free range egg claims: new laws come into effect

Back in 2016, the Australian government introduced new requirements for labelling almost all food with Country of Origin information. On 1 July 2018, these requirements become mandatory for all food retailers, including stall holders at farmers markets. There are very few exceptions: alcoholic beverages, tea & coffee, biscuits, seasonings, confectionery and snack foods. Ready-to-eat vendors … Continue reading New Country of Origin labelling requirements mandatory from 1 July 2018