As Stallholders were greeted at their Entrance Gate by Robert Winspear from before 6:00am rain was falling on Patterson Reserve. A check on the radar map at 6:26am showed rain still falling over Melbourne but passing quickly down to the south -east. By the time Early Shift Volunteers were being briefed at 6:55am the rain had ceased and apart from a small amount of drizzle mid-morning the rain stayed away providing some sunny patches. Temperatures were around 18 °C.
Stallholders and Patrons were vocal in their appreciation of the Market being back and fully understood the strict 
COVID protocols the Market operated under. Disappointingly the early appearance of a rainy morning, the time the Market has been in recess and the concern of both some Stallholders and Patrons about COVID, combined to reduce the numbers in each category. (See below). In this regard we were fortunate to have the offset of four new Stallholders join us. They were Belleview Farm and WillowZen both selling eggs, The Sneaky Treat Co. selling brownies and Freeland Pork. The latter being a valuable substitute for Yarra Valley Pork who have advised they will not be back this calendar year. Some 21 Stallholders advised their non-attendance giving various reasons such as commitment to other Markets in lieu of our previous closure, colder weather causing fruit not to ripen and as stated above concerns re COVID in Melbourne.
COVID protocols the Market operated under. Disappointingly the early appearance of a rainy morning, the time the Market has been in recess and the concern of both some Stallholders and Patrons about COVID, combined to reduce the numbers in each category. (See below). In this regard we were fortunate to have the offset of four new Stallholders join us. They were Belleview Farm and WillowZen both selling eggs, The Sneaky Treat Co. selling brownies and Freeland Pork. The latter being a valuable substitute for Yarra Valley Pork who have advised they will not be back this calendar year. Some 21 Stallholders advised their non-attendance giving various reasons such as commitment to other Markets in lieu of our previous closure, colder weather causing fruit not to ripen and as stated above concerns re COVID in Melbourne. Once again, we appreciated the following Rotary volunteers. Co-Chair of the BFM Robert Winspear as mentioned above was there early as always to usher the first Stallholders to their sites. Thank you to the Captain of the Early Shift Mark Howlett and his team of Don Moore, David Fallick and Past Rotarian Jane Gilchrist. Also joining us as additional help, which was appreciated for this first Market back, was Wayne Worladge and Gary Stoneham. Thank you both. Thank you also to the Captain of the Late Shift Tim Gale and his team of Don Heath, Ted Baillieu and President Elect Teresa Liu. We thank Joanne Dorland Economic Development Officer from the City of Boroondara for coming down.
Farmers’ Market Treasurer John Suriano thank you once again for initially sending out the Invoices followed by reminders but coming down to the Market for the fee collections, and then doing the banking after the Market closed.
Farmers’ Market Treasurer John Suriano thank you once again for initially sending out the Invoices followed by reminders but coming down to the Market for the fee collections, and then doing the banking after the Market closed.
Our financial result for 17/10/2020 was as follows:-
Stallholders (47) $3,525.00
Customers (637) $1,275.70
Total for Day $4,800.70
Next Market: Saturday October 31st , 2020.
Kind regards,
Ian Salek
Farmers Market Secretary and Co-Chair.
Farmers Market Secretary and Co-Chair.