The 2021 COVID Lockdown health regulations created many hurdles, but the club’s Capital Region Farmers’ Market management team faced them all with a positive attitude.

The market gave farmers a place to sell fresh produce and simultaneously give Canberrans a genuine market where they could be assured of buying fresh food directly from the family who grew it. After 17 years of weekly operation, the market has become a Canberra attraction.

Customers during lockdown
During the 2021 Lockdown, crowds had to be kept to a minimum, masks worn at all times and all entering the market were required to scan in. Families nominated one member to do shopping per household. Pictured above, shoppers in the rain with their weekly needs.

Running the farmers’ market each week is not a simple task. It requires constant management from our dedicated Farmers Market team. Whilst the market is primarily a community service project, it is also the club’s fundraising activity that enables us to support a multitude of activities and community projects locally, regionally and globally.

RC Jerrabomberra stand
Thank you to our friends at the Rotary Club of Jerrabomberra for sticking with us throughout the lockdown. The club’s skeleton team of ACT residents kept the front-of-house service going.
President Chris
President Chris on counting duty on a very wet and windy Saturday morning.
‘One side of me got soaked, and the brolly was of no use whatsoever!’

We have made this possible through continual liaison, compliance modifications, and reporting. Throughout the 20-21 COVID-19 period, we only closed the market for one Saturday. I think anyone would have to marvel at that achievement.

As President, I would like to add my thanks to the market management team and the many club and family members who gave their time to ensure the market continued to operate during this most unforeseen and challenging period.

With high vaccination rates and restrictions easing, we look forward to a bumper summer and hopefully a terrific year ahead for all our stallholders and customers.

Crowds back at the market
Crowds of customers returned as restrictions eased on 28 October and stallholders were again permitted to sell ‘food ready to eat’. Cheerful patrons happily lined up for their Saturday morning coffee.