About VFMA membership

The Annual Membership Fee of $50 (ex. gst) provides members with:

• Administration of stallholder & market accreditation
• Preferred access to better run markets
• Protection from resellers
• Stallholder fee discounts at participating markets
• Access to VFMA’s expert resources
• Marketing exposure to a weekly mailing list of 9000 subscribers
• Business profile on the VFMA website
• Industry newsletter
• Huge social media exposure
• Traditional media exposure in publications like The Age and Weekly Times
• Representation and advocacy at local, state and federal government levels
• Access to the VFMA Committee and Accreditation Panel to address and mediate concerns
• Access to VFMA network of market managers and stallholders

Principles of Accredited Farmers' Markets

The vision of the Victorian Farmers' Markets Association (VFMA) is to lead the Local Food Revolution of buying fresh food, direct from farmers at accredited farmers' markets. The Association and its members will work to inspire the public to connect with the growers and makers of genuine local produce.

The purpose of the VFMA is to stand up for Victorian farmers, to strengthen the viability of local producers and to jointly defend our food sovereignty through the support and promotion of accredited farmers’ markets.

The key principles of accredited farmers' markets are that:

• The producer has grown, reared, caught or processed the produce being offered for sale, and;
• Each stall is staffed by at least one person who has intimate knowledge of, and direct involvement with, the production process of items for sale.

The following are never permitted at accredited farmers' markets:

• Resellers of fruit, vegetables or any other farm based product;
• Re-packagers of any food or drink;
• Art and craft where no clear farm origin is defined;
• Bric-a-brac stalls.

Principles of VFMA membership:

• All applicants must agree to support the purpose of the VFMA and the VFMA's Rules of Association;
• Applicants accepted for membership by the VFMA Committee are classified as Associate "Non-accredited" Members until they achieve accreditation;
• All Market Trader Members must be genuine producers.

Supporters

VFMA Membership Documents.

The rules that apply to accredited producers and markets are available in the documents below.  Potential applicants should read the requirements before considering applying for membership.

Requirements for accreditation

Membership Information

Regulations and guides

Streatrader

In Victoria, all food premises are required to have a Food Act registration from their registering council before selling food. This includes fixed premises, such as cafes and restaurants – but also temporary and mobile food premises such as a market stall or a food van. Streatrader is the online system for businesses and community groups to register and notify their temporary and mobile food premises with their registering council. 

Streatrader and the Department of Health and Human Services have also produced a Guide to Running a Market Stall in Victoria, providing a good starting point for those interested in becoming part of the farmers' market community.

Country of Origin Labelling at Markets

From 1 July 2018, food products sold to consumers at markets must comply with the origin labelling requirements in the Standard. It is therefore important for market traders to familiarise themselves with these new requirements as soon as possible. The ACCC is advising all traders to review the origin claims they make about their products now, to ensure they have compliant labelling ready to go when the new rules become mandatory. Download the guide for markets, below, or go the ACCC website for more information. 
https://www.accc.gov.au/business/advertising-promoting-your-business/country-of-origin-claims