Committee Members

President: Miranda Sharp
Miranda has been involved in the local food industry for many years; as chef, caterer, food writer and market stallholder herself.  She has assisted four Melbourne community groups to establish markets which combine a not-for-profit structure, a viable opportunity for Victorian farmers to take credit for their efforts, and a great atmosphere for local residents.

Miranda believes strongly in the possibilities of authentic markets making a difference for Victorian primary producers.  Miranda she lives in regional Victoria but can usually be found on a Saturday morning at Veg Out, Collingwood, Gasworks and Abbotsford Convent Farmers’ Markets.

Vice President: Shelley Green

Together with my husband, Alan we produce free range eggs – “GreenEggs” at Great Western in the Southern Wimmera and we participate in numerous farmers markets regionally and in Melbourne.
As a primary producer I am passionate about farmers' markets; the connection between country and city is vital and I believe it is essential to develop and maintain credibility and integrity for both stall holders and consumers.

 
Secretary: Vicky Davison
In her previous role as Economic Development Manager with the City of Boroondara Vicky was responsible for establishing the Boroondara Farmers’ Market in Hawthorn in 2002.  She have also been Market Manager for the Kingston Farmers’ Market at Highett for the last five years. 

As well as being the current Secretary of the VFMA, Vicky also holds that position with the Mornington Peninsula Olive Association and is a committee member of Mornington Peninsula Gourmet – her local food group.   Vicky is also a producer and a Farmers’ market stallholder. She and her husband own an olive grove on the Mornington Peninsula and produce extra virgin olive oil and table olives. 

Treasurer: George Nicolas
George is a fourth generation olive grower.  His family owns an olive grove in Dimboola, which was established in 1945.  The Nicolas family are one of the pioneers of the olive industry and have watched it grow in leaps and bounds.  Their oils and table olives are now sold in various markets in Australia and overseas.  George has also been involved in the accounting industry for 20 years.
 

Committee Representative: Allen Snaith
The Snaith family have been breeding Belted Galloway Rare Breed Cattle at Clonbinane (VIC) for 28 years.  We commenced direct selling of meat to Melbourne families in 1984.  The producer - consumer contact is the key to all quality food production and the Farmers' Market venue cannot be surpassed for this.

We currently attend 3 country markets (all local) and two city markets monthly.  Our herd, all be it small, produces Belted Galloway meat animals and breeding stock for other rare breed enthusiasts.  
 
For the past 10 years I have been the Chairperson of the Stud Beef Victoria Herald and Weekly Times  Young Cattle Handlers Camp, (an annual 4 day intensive program to assist 8-80 year olds within the Stud beef industry with breeding, handling and showing of cattle).  For 6 years I have been the Chairperson of the Stock and Land Beef Week Field Days Committee (a twice yearly, State wide event that enables producers to open their farms in an open-day style to the public which assist farmers with sales and general PR of their stud).  I have also been on the Beef Cattle Committee within the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, for the last 5 years, and have assisted with the organisation and running of the annual Royal Melbourne Show beef cattle program.  I am passionate about engaging youth within the beef and agricultural industries.

I believe the emergence of Farmers' Markets has had the most impact on 'farm effort' recognition and consumer awareness of product for many years, and my involvement would be to strengthen the link between producer - consumer - city - country.

Staff Members

Executive Officer: Sam Edmonds

Project Officer: Janet Campbell
Janet is a proud "foodie" with qualifications and work experience in the hospitality industry, so was delighted on moving to Melbourne (from Brisbane) to find Gasworks, her local farmers' market.

With a background in local government, and experience as a marketing consultant, Janet also appreciates the contribution of farmers' markets to community and economic development.

Janet is undertaking a range of projects for the VFMA including a business plan, "How to" guides, funding applications and event promotion of Victorian farmers' markets.

Working with the VFMA is the ideal way to combine her personal and prefessional interests. As a result, you will find JAnet at a farmers' market most weekends as she meets growers, stall holders and market managers, explores Victoria and stocks her kitchen.
 

VFMA Accreditation Consultant: Tristan Maclean
It has been a year since Tristan Maclean moved from his homeland Scotland to Australia and became involved with the VFMA. He comes from a family who strongly believe in the importance of sustainable, chemical free food.  From this background he gained a passion for Farmers’ Markets, and in 2005 he was given the opportunity to manage the Edinburgh Farmers’ Market.

With Tristan’s guidance, this market successfully made the transition from  bi-monthly  to weekly, and with this came accolades such as Britain’s Favourite Farmers’ Market 2006 (Country Life magazine), Farmers’ Market of the Year 2007 (National Farmers’ Retail & Markets Association - FARMA), and to top it off - a Guinness World Record.

Having worked within FARMA’s accreditation, the VFMA was interested in his involvement with the designing and realising of a new accreditation scheme that would suit Victorian farmers’ and markets. 2009 will see the implementation of this accreditation scheme which Tristan hopes will secure the long term success and integrity of authentic Farmers’ Markets in Victoria.