Sprout Community Market
Entry is free and all are welcome!
First Thursday of each Month 3 - 7pm
Closed in Winter June - August & Jan-Feb
Sprout Community Garden is a program of Mind that promotes mental and physical wellbeing through a range of horticulture and enterprise activities that are developed with a sustainable and creative focus.
As part of this approach, Sprout holds a diverse and vibrant local Community Market on the first Thursday of each month (except winter & Jan/Feb). The market has a variety of stalls (including organically grown produce, dried herbs and plants; food & drink; kids activities; local crafts, arts and designs) as well as music, and often workshops and demonstrations. It sells produce that has been produced on site as well as offering stalls to vendors from the wider community, encouraging local community strength, connection and community enterprise with a focus on sustainability.
Sprout Community Market was launched on 5th March 2009 by Fiona Richardson MP, member for Northcote and Cr Diana Asmar, Mayor of Darebin, with Esmarelda Bamblett and Glen from the Aboriginals Advancement League doing the acknowledgment and welcome to country.
 The market aims to engage program participants and the local community in an enterprise that celebrates the benefits of locally grown and made produce, plants and products that have been sourced within 100 miles (160kms) of the market site. Much of the fresh produce has been grown at Sprout and in backyards around Melbourne.
“One of the key benefits of the market structure is that people who participate in Mind’s programs have the opportunity to sell their products, develop new skills and generate some income for themselves,” explained Zanni Waldstein, market coordinator.
Items for sale not only include fresh organically grown fruit and vegetables, but also organically grown seedlings, plants, preserves, herbs and crafts. The market is also enriched with live music and food stalls and often workshops and activities for all to enjoy.
“The Sprout Community Market provides a meaningful way for people from all walks of life to participate in the community,” commented Fiona Richardson, MP.
“Partnerships between local groups such as the Aboriginals Advancement League and Thornbury Primary School are key ingredients to the success of the market. These partnerships help the community to develop an appreciation and understanding of people’s backgrounds and circumstances.”
 “The Sprout Community Market not only aims to bring the local community together and break down devisions, but it is also aims to encourage sustainable living,” Zanni Waldstein explained.
“It encourages people to take notice of where their food is being produced and transported from. It doesn’t make sense to ship fresh vegetables halfway across the country when you can buy them locally.
“Through initiatives such as Sprout Community Market, people are becoming aware of the benefits to their health and to the environment of buying locally grown, organic produce.”
Market Dates for 2010 are: March 4th, April 1st, May 6th, Sept 2nd, Oct 7th, Nov 4th and Dec 2nd
Sprout also has an ‘Open Gate’ every non-market Thursday 1-4pm for Sprout plant and produce sales
All profits from the market are reinvested into Sprout’s programs, which support the recovery of people experiencing mental illness or at risk of homelessness
Are you intere sted in hosting a stall?
If you would like to host a stall at Sprout Community Market, then please download the following guidelines and application form.
Guidelines and Application Form
|
