Celebrating two delicious decades of the Willunga Farmers Market

Story by Poppy Fitzpatrick. Photography by Loki Hall.

It’s been a while since my last visit to the Willunga Farmers Market (WFM). Arriving on this particularly sunny Saturday, I’m instantly regretful of all the mornings I’ve let pass me by.

I’m greeted first by a friendly volunteer, before joining an infectiously enthusiastic crowd, their grocery bags overflowing with greenery and beaming faces swaying to tunes from the Willunga Ukuleles.

It’s the familiarity of the market’s celebrated vibrant atmosphere that immediately draws me back in, despite the recent relocation to the Willunga High School from its previous home in the town square, and before that, the Alma car park where it all began in February 2002. In the lead up to WFM’s 20th birthday, it seems market-goers have embraced its evolution as best they can, perhaps even revelling in the slightly lazier pace permitted by the extra elbow room.

Chair of the WFM board Pip Forrester pulls up a seat for me, a gesture followed soon after by a hand-delivered coffee from Rob at Piccolo Espresso. I quietly indulge in their hospitality while the pair argue payment across me, their down-to-earth energy bringing a comforting sense of shared community. It’s this feeling of belonging within the market that has kept so many coming back for over almost two decades – exceptional produce aside.

WFM has meant various things to its supporters over the years. For some it’s a quick weekly grocery haul, for others a leisurely weekend event, and for many a central part of their livelihood. Whatever their reason for attending, patrons and traders are given an experience unparalleled by any supermarket, while their collective dedication allows the surrounding community to thrive. ‘We belong to the community – as a board and as stall holders – whether we like it or not, and that’s our secret to success,’ Pip says.

As she guides me through the stalls, Pip introduces a never-ending list of vendors and shoppers. Chris Williams from Fleurieu Prime Alpaca emerges from his tent for a chat. For a niche product like alpaca meat, Chris says the WFM provides an invaluable weekly opportunity to connect directly with customers who’d otherwise never give his product a chance. ‘I get to break that barrier down,’ Chris says. ‘If I can get them here and get them to put something in their mouths, then we’re alright.’ Ian East from Gina’s Kitchen and Field Berries entices me with descriptions of ‘the best vanilla slice in the world,’ although it’s sadly absent from an almost sold-out table. ‘No, really. There was a vote and everything. It was just me, but I think that counts,’ he tells me with conviction, as he reveals one remaining slice and generously insists I take it.

Ian’s accolade is but one among many WFM has accumulated after twenty years of trading. In her nearly five years as General Manager, Jenni Mitton has seen WFM win an impressive list of awards, including Outstanding Farmers Market at the Delicious Produce Awards in both 2019 and 2021, and the SA Tourism Award for Excellence in Food Tourism in 2018 and 2019 – for which they’re also in the running this year. These came after numerous others received in earlier years, but true to its humble roots, the market has always found a way to feed its success back into the community that raised it.

Since 2014 WFM, with partnership support from the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, has boosted seven new producers with a $15,000 Young Farmers Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to encourage farming on the Fleurieu Peninsula by an emerging business, preserving a proud history of successful agricultural production in the region. The first recipients were The Garden Farmers who, seven years later, remain regular traders at the markets serving their popular cold-pressed juices.

The community continues to welcome buyers and producers both old and new with open arms. Some, like Matchett’s and Bickleigh Vale Farm, have been a core part of WFM for well over a decade, while newcomers like Sunny Bunch Co. only began trading this year. No matter who comes and goes, it seems all are bound by a shared adoration for everything the Fleurieu has to offer.

In the past few years, the market has encountered some of its most significant challenges to date, but Jenni says the flexibility of the market community and the willingness of volunteers to help keep it running every week has been immensely rewarding to observe. ‘The market plays such an important role on the Fleurieu when it comes to food, social connection and tourism and I feel very grateful to be part of that,’ Jenni says.

After twenty wonderful years, Willunga Farmers Market has certainly earned its place as the beating heart of all that is right with our region – and its pulse only grows stronger with every passing year.

Saturdays 8am – 12.00pm Willunga High School Support your local farmers and producers

Fresh local produce including fruit, veg, meat, olive oil, cheese, wine and all your weekly essentials can be found every Saturday morning in Willunga. We look forward to welcoming you. *New location: Willunga High – 1km south of Town Square.