Market Local: Berwick Farmers Market at Old Cheese Factory

Berwick Farmers Market at the Old Cheese Factory is back and better than ever. After not being able to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic, this favourite local market reopened on Saturday 12 June.

Ready, Set, Eat – definitely! Stallholders were excited to be back, market volunteers were visible around the market from the car park to entry, and keeping an eye on the flow. Lots of locals were out and about shopping for fresh produce and handmade goods on a chilly but dry winter’s morning. Of course, steaming cups of coffee and freshly cooked bacon and egg rolls were popular and a delicious way to start the morning. It’s pet friendly and ideal for families too, with the Old Cheese Factory playground and gardens nearby.

Fresh fruit and vegetables, ethically raised meats, honey, baked goods, artisan breads, plants, jams and preserves, dairy, wine, nuts and much much more. With the diversity of stallholders, either local or further afield from Melbourne, Gippsland and Mornington Peninsula regions, this market is a food bowl of awesomeness.

Here are a few of my favourite discoveries from the June market:

280 Fresh Veg – Freshly picked fruit and vegetables from Boneo on Mornington Peninsula. Veggie boxes available for pre-order and pick up from the market. Shopping Bag: Silverbeet and brussel sprouts recommended by Sam.

Tony from The Sweetest Moment Patisserie is a pastry chef with a day job during the week, and bakes the night before market day. A Hampton Park local, his passion and love for baking is very evident when you talk to him, and the range of gluten free products and good quality homemade patisserie products available. Shopping Bag: Moist chocolate and raspberry cake. Next time Orange Syrup Bar!

Bite Me Fine Foods products are Certified Organic and they guarantee everything in Bite Me packaging has used the freshest Australian ingredients. Chris, toasting his falafel bites for sampling on a sandwich press, uses all-natural, locally-sourced ingredients. This week zucchini, celery and onions came from Koo Wee Rup and herbs from Devon Meadows. This Cranbourne based business cook their products to the Ahilias family recipes.. Shopping Bag: Bite Me Fine Foods Organic Veggie Patties and Red Lentil Fakki Patties.

Mum’s Baklava lovingly hand makes their baklava using the finest natural ingredients from pure pistachio nuts to homemade syrup. A range of varieties from classic to chocolate. Get your crunch on. Delicious. Mine did not last long. Shopping Bag: Sweet and salty baklava.

Pippa’s Kitchen has a range of wholesome and tasty meals cooked in small batches made in their Clayton kitchen by hand. Simple home cooking – the aroma from the chicken soup was divine! Sauces and relishes also available. Shopping Bag: Pippa’s Kitchen Beetroot Relish

Lovely to meet the team from Heaston Estate, a winery and vineyard at The Gurdies. A range of wine available, with reds being most popular in the winter. Looking forward to dropping in on my next visit to Phillip Island with exciting plans in fruition. Love the wine label! Shopping Bag: Heaston Estate 2019 Verdelho Chardonnay.

The Mrs & Co. uses real ingredients and a bit of imagination to provide unique and tasty alternatives to heavily processed breakfast cereals and snacks. Vegan friendly and home-made in Mt Evelyn with no added refined sugar or nasty preservatives. Samples were delicious – hard to choose. Thanks Connie. Shopping Bag: The Mrs & Co. Original Granola.

The 3 Bees sells a range of delicious raw honey and honey products, and on tasting had a wide selection of honeys with diverse flavours. From your light, floral to your dark caramel, there is something for everyone. Nothing beats raw honey drizzled over creamy greek yoghurt or stirred into a lemon and ginger tea. Shopping Bag: The 3 Bees Bushland Honey.

Thank you to all the stallholders who took the time to chat. I’m excited for my shopping bag purchases. There were nearly 40 stallholders at the market, and you can find a list of stalls on the Berwick Farmers Market website. Make sure you come along to the next market on Saturday 11 July – I am looking forward to coming back.

Farmers Market at the Old Cheese Factory operates under the strict guidelines of the Victorian Farmers Market Association (VFMA) which means you can be assured the produce you buy is from local farmers and not sold by stallholders who may buy their produce and on sell to you, the customer. The funds from the market go into local charities to help disadvantaged children. Not only supporting local business but our local community too.