The very first Forbes Farmers’ Market was held on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at the Ben Hall Shears pavilion at Forbes Showgrounds.

Since its humble beginnings, Forbes Farmers’ Markets has grown significantly with more stallholders coming on board each month.

The markets moved to the more central location of Victoria Park in October last year, which proved to be very successful.

However, due to the wet weather Forbes has had over the past few weeks, this Saturday’s market will be held in Forbes Town Hall from 8am to 12pm.

Rachel Wythes helped found the Markets in 2014, and said she is proud to see the impact they have made over the past two years.

“I believe that the central west has some of the best produce available in the country and we started the Forbes Farmers’ Market to help hardworking producers connect directly with the local community,” Mrs Wythes said.

“To support this aim, we developed a charter that all stallholders must either grow what they sell, or value-add to produce grown in the central west region.”

“I am proud to say that we have stuck by that charter and have succeeded in achieving the vision we set back in 2014.”

Mrs Wythes also said they could not have been successful without the ongoing support of the stallholders and the Forbes community.

“For the majority of our stallholders, selling their produce at markets like Forbes is their livelihood and we are very lucky to have had such great support over the last two years,” she said.

“This is what makes the Forbes Farmers’ Markets different from other markets held around town.”

The Forbes Farmers’ Markets are one of a collection of farmers markets across the Central West, including Orange, Blayney and Dubbo.

Mrs Wythes said farmers markets are an important part of the regional economy, with many of the stallholders’ livelihoods supported only by attending markets.

“Pride of Oak Tableland Premier Meats, Neurea Valley Produce, Tumbling Downs Olives and Deerfield Produce have been with us since day one and since then we have grown the number of stalls to include honey, native seedlings, sourdough, beer and cider,” she said.

“We wouldn’t be able to continue without their support, the efforts of the volunteer committee and the extra help we get from Forbes Shire Council.”

Forbes Farmers’ Markets are held on the last Saturday of each month. For further enquires, contact forbesfarmersmarkets@gmail.com or check out the Forbes Farmers’ Markets Facebook page.