A newly elected committee has reaffirmed its commitment to the Bellingen Growers Market (BGM), marking 26 years of providing nutrient-dense, chemical-free food to a community that has weathered both floods and a pandemic.
The Bellingen Growers Market (BGM) has entered its 26th year of operation, following its Annual General Meeting where a new committee was elected. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the weekly market, a cornerstone of the Bellingen community since its early days as a privately owned venture before becoming a community-based non-profit organisation.
Despite challenges posed by Covid and increasingly frequent flood events, long-term stallholders have kept the market alive through their dedication and resilience.
The values that underpinned BGM Stallholders and volunteers alike were supplying chemically free, nutrient dense and locally grown food.. There was a strong commitment to working towards food security and the inestimable value of people simply being together. BGM was a big contributor to the clean, green image of Bellingen and the draw for tourists and cafes for locally grown food.
Market Chairperson, and Market Coordinator Steffi Eppler, who runs the popular honey stall, exemplifies this commitment. Travelling from Dorrigo via the long mountain route, Steffi said: “The Market is an important community event for so many people. This is what keeps me going.”
Sally Townley from Hearthfire added that their motivation to attend each Saturday is rooted in the market’s role as a community gathering, rather than financial reward.
This year promises growth and renewed energy:
Nidya will expand her vegetable stall.
Funding is being sought for new workshops, following last year’s well-attended and appreciated sessions.
Maxime Revell will return in February with her “So full of life Plants”
Ziyah will soon be back with her much-loved Indonesian breakfasts.
Bellingen Growers Market Committee is inviting new stallholders to join and encouraging greater local attendance to ensure the market continues to thrive. BGM Market Chairperson Steffi said, “We welcome new stallholders and community support to keep the market strong and vibrant.”
With the support of dedicated volunteers, BGM is determined to deliver the best possible event in its third decade of service to the Bellingen community.
Contact: – Phone: 0419 944 743 or Bellingengrowersmarket@gmail.com