A development application has been submitted to Shoalhaven City Council for a fresh food market to be held in the Ulladulla Civic Centre grounds every Thursday.

The Gaia Farmers’ Market will offer fresh, locally grown food and produce to local families.

Market organiser Smi Chee said, once approved by council, the first market could be held at the end of April or early in May.

She said the word Gaia means mother earth in Greek mythology and captures the essence of the market which will offer produce direct from the ground to the table.

Simi said there has been on-going discussion about the need for a local food markte in the Ulladulla region, with many families choosing to drive to the Moruya farmers’ market every week to buy fresh produce.

She said the market would provide an opportunity for local farmers and growers to sell their produce locally.

“It will also be a chance for local families, who want to eat fresh, healthy food, to buy it direct from the farmers,” she said.

“It’s all about educating the community to eat healthy, eat seasonally and knowing where produce comes from.

“People can meet the farmers who are passionate about their produce and talk to them about how they grow their vegetables or what they feed their chickens.

“It’s a chance for us to look after and support our local farmers.”

Produce such as mushrooms, berries, eggs, honey, seasonal fruit and vegetables, seafood, oysters, milk and cheese as well as local beef and goat meat will be on offer.

Simi said all local growers, including school and community groups were welcome to be involved in the markets.

She said a meeting would be held at 170 Woodstock Road at 5.30 on April 13 to finalise the markets and anyone growing produce was welcome to attend.

As well as fresh food, the markets would host guest speakers, local exhibits, where farmers can show how their food is made, as well as guest chefs who will demonstrate how to prepare and cook seasonal produce.

Councillor Mark Kitchener has thrown his support behind the proposal, saying holding a farmers’ market in Ulladulla made “good economical sense”.

“Over the past five years organic farming and associated farmer’s markets have been one of the best performing industries in the economy with an impressive annual growth rate of just over 12 per cent,” he said.

“More money is spent in the local economy and it circulates in the community for longer.

“An important aspect of further strengthening a community is to minimize escape spending and one method of making this possible is to build a local food web that sustains a local farmers’ market.”

Cr Kitchener said the scheme would also promote job creation, food security programs, regenerate community spirits and attract increased numbers of out of town buyers.

“Statistical data indicate there are more people changing their shopping habits and driving from St Georges Basin, Sussex Inlet and Bateman’s Bay to shop in Ulladulla,” he said.

“A farmer’s market will give them an added attraction.

“Buying local makes good sense and helps to build a strong and vibrant community.

“Instead of having your money go to large corporations who use it to pay shareholders buying locally helps to support local farmers and small business owners.”

Cr Kitchener commended Valerie Morrow and Simi Chee for initiating the proposal and getting it off the ground.

Interested producers can contact the market committee via email: gaiafarmersmarket@icloud.com