It was Friday 13 March 2020 whilst running the Warburton Summer Produce Market a storm was blowing.
Market Coordinator Leanne Hall was getting phone calls about cancelling all her festivals and gigs and the River Folk Festival that was due to start in a few hours was cancelled.
Everyone was in shock and not sure what was happening or what to do next.
The community wanted to know where to get their fresh produce from so Silvetine Farm offered to do farm gate sales on a Friday afternoon at ECOSS.
Other local produce stalls wanted to come along as well and with all the restrictions it required a coordinator so Leanne started running what was soon to become The ECOSS Valley Market. They managed to run the market safely throughout the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021.
The market became a safe haven and helped with the mental health of many to come out and do their essential shopping in a safe open air environment.
Now that we are able to socialise again, the weekly ECOSS Market has become a great place for families to hang out, sit around the fire, drink mulled or hot chocolate (in winter) grab some Mexican Tacos for dinner, do their weekly shop and relax while the kids play.
Thanks to funding from Creative Victoria they have been able to run monthly festive markets with live music, arts, craft and local produce markets. Each month has a different theme and is a great opportunity for families to socialise.
It is under cover and indoors in the colder months and is about to move outside to the Village Green now the weather is warming up. The team have now introduced ‘A Taste of Culture’ Kids cooking Demos introducing young people to different cultures healthy eating each month in conjunction with the festive markets thanks to funding from Vic Health.
Warburton still wanted to have a market so The Warburton Valley Market was born and became the first Sunday of each month to replace The Warburton Summer Produce Market and the Artisan Market that folded during Covid.
The Warburton Valley Market has live music, a great range of art, craft, food and local produce! Along the banks of Birrarung (The Yarra River) behind The Arts Centre Warburton.
They have just had the biggest Market yet in conjunction with The River Folk Festival that was thoroughly enjoyed by all!
Leanne and the team are very excited for the following markets now the weather is heating up.
The ECOSS Valley Market is also welcoming new stalls.
