Market goers will have extra reason to feel good about their fresh produce purchase at the Taste Bundaberg Market this year, with proceeds from sales at the Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers (BFVG) stall to benefit local families.
BFVG has teamed up with Alive Church to run a fresh produce stall providing affordable fresh fruit and vegetables to the community by selling farm fresh seconds donated by local famers.
BFVG Ceo Bree Watson said the initiative will benefit growers as well as the community.
“The Taste Bundaberg Markets are always a major undertaking for our team, and we wanted to create an initiative that not only showcases local produce but also gives back to the community,” Bree said.
“We’ve chosen to focus on second-grade produce because our farmers have been doing it tough too, they need to receive full price for their premium produce and this approach still lets us offer quality, locally grown food at a lower cost for our community to enjoy.
“We’ve partnered with Alive City Pantry, a local not-for-profit warehouse run by Alive Church, to provide affordable fresh fruit and vegetables to the community, with all proceeds going directly to support the pantry’s low-cost grocery store and emergency food hampers for those in need.”
Alive Church Senior Pastor Joey Ryan said the not-for-profit pantry was an important service operated by the church.
“We know how tough it can be to be able to afford to provide for the dinner table these days and so our heart as a church is to be able to assist people with free bread and very low-cost fresh produce, pantry staples and frozen items,” Joey said.
“We are all about bringing hope to the city of Bundaberg.”
Alive City Pantry operates Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm, with all welcome.
Farmers can donate produce
Bree said the success of the market stall initiative relied on the generosity of local farmers.
“We live in the food bowl of Australia and the Taste Bundaberg Market is a great way for the community to connect with what is grown in our area,” she said.
“We are calling for local growers to donate one or two (or more!) boxes of second-grade produce for sale at the markets.
“Community members can support simply by visiting the stall, purchasing great local produce, knowing their money is helping fund the pantry’s important work.”
All donations from growers need to be received by Friday 5 September to the BFVG office.
Taste Bundaberg Market is on Saturday 6 September from 7 am to 1 pm in Alexandra Park West, Quay Street, Bundaberg.
Helping to deliver Taste Bundaberg Festival are sponsors Betta Bundaberg, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks and Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers.
The Taste Bundaberg Festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
What a great idea !