Talbot

After a year many of us want to forget, the Talbot Farmers’ Market and the Talbot Town Hall Market are thrilled to be up and running again.

Described as one of the top ten regional markets in Victoria, between 9am to 1pm on the third Sunday of each month approximately 2500 visitors descend on the usually peaceful village of Talbot. Visitors and locals alike enjoy and buy fresh local seasonal produce including organic, bio-dynamic and vegan products from small-scale producers and growers.

And at the Talbot Town Hall trash and treasure market (run at the same time), visitors can search for a bargain among antique stalls, pre-loved and hand-made clothing, books and art and crafts.

Among the options for eating while you browse the stalls is Flower Power Soul Food. Started nearly three years ago by owner/operators Darin and Mark, the idea behind the business is a perfect fit for the Talbot Farmers Market.

“We chose the name Flower Power because we are 100% plant based,” Darin said.

“We wanted to start a movement of healthy and wholesome ‘soul food’ and have embraced the philosophy of the hippie movement, which was against the fast-food expansion. Rather than mass-produced food that all tastes the same, we use local, chemical free, organic and biodynamic ingredients. Where possible we buy directly from the farmer.”

Soul foods offer baked (not fried) goods, and their menu includes artisan pies, sausage rolls, five- hour slow cooked jackfruit burgers with slaw and jalapenos, wholesome soups and a selection of sweet treats.

Many visitors to the central goldfields will time their visit to coincide with Talbot Market weekend. With more than 80 stalls, regular customers stock up on their supply of a variety of goods. Honey, cured meats, liquorice, fudge – even skin care products – bring visitors month after month to the tiny central Victorian town of Talbot.

Clunes

Members of the Clunes Tourist and Development Association (CTDA) have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure the much-loved market will continue this year in a Covid-safe
environment.
Held on the second Sunday of the month in the main street of Clunes, the Clunes Market has been a regular fixture on the ‘market’ calendar.
Jason Judd is the Treasurer of CTDA. He said, like all markets, the organisers have been considering the best way to run an accessible event with strong safety measures.
“We will have a separate dining section where
people will be able to scan their information,” Jason said. “And we will also have volunteers on hand to ensure people are sanitising and maintaining social distance.”
It’s not only customers the CTDA is looking forward to welcoming back. As Jason said, it will be great to see market favourites such as Not Just Spuds and G’s Bees, as well as local cafés
and a few book stores, open for business and doing what they do best.
“We are confident people will enter into the community spirit of the market,” Jason said.
“it’s a great chance to get together in a safe environment, support local traders and, most of all, be kind to one another.”