The Accreditation Program

When shopping at a farmers’ market, the public should have confidence in the authenticity of producers. i.e. that the person they are transacting with is the person who grew or made the produce.

The introduction of the Accreditation Program, an initiative of the Victorian Farmers' Markets Association supported by the Victorian government, ensures this and provides a solid basis of quality, integrity and fairness to all consumers. The program advocates best practice and celebrates the work of genuine farmers, specialty makers and farmers’ markets. The program ensures the credibility of participants in a proudly transparent process.

How will accredited farmers’ markets and stallholders be recognised?

Look for the symbols of authenticity!

Stallholders displaying this sign have been awarded accreditation. The logo represents farmers’ who grow or raised the produce they sell. They have undergone a rigorous application process and proven their authenticity.

Stallholders displaying this sign have also been awarded accreditation. These are specialty makers who are awarded accreditation after a similar process and because they source their ingredients from regional Victoria or another stallholder direct.

When a farmers’ market is accredited, it will display this symbol. For farmers’ markets in metropolitan areas to gain accreditation, at least 90% of their stallholders must be accredited; for regional farmers’ markets, 75% of the stallholders must be accredited. These markets support and endorse accredited stallholders.

Congratulations to the 400+ producers and the following farmers’ markets who have been awarded accreditation
status:

Bendigo Community Farmers’ Market
Boroondara Farmers’ Market
Casey-Berwick Farmers’ Market
Collingwood Children’s Farm Farmers’ Market
Echuca Farmers’ Market
Gasworks Farmers’ Market (Albert Park)
Hurstbridge Farmers’ Market
Kingston Farmers’ Market
Lancefield Farmers’ Market
Melbourne Showgrounds Farmers’ Market
Mt. Eliza Farmers’ Market
Slow Food Melbourne Farmers’ Market (Abbotsford Convent)
University Hill Farmers’ Market
Veg Out Farmers’ Market (St. Kilda)

This number will continue to grow over the coming months as the accreditation program continues. 

All relevant forms are available for download here:

Producers Handbook; Stallholder rules; Fruit & veg producers; Meat & dairy producers; Shared farm stall; Specialty makers.