Commerce takes on produce hub

COMMERCE Ballarat has taken the lead on the Central Highlands Growers and Producers Hub to ensure the project continues after an end to funding provided by Agricultural Victoria.

The hub takes the form of a website that seeks to boost awareness of small producers in the area and was launched in 2022 by Hepburn Shire with 15 suppliers.

After being signed over to Commerce Ballarat in August this year, an additional 50 members have joined the hub and CEO Jodie Gillett said it was a milestone.

“The hub is a vibrant and supportive network of businesses dedicated to promoting quality produce from our region,” she said.

“It’s about fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge and creating opportunities for local growers, producers and artisans.”

Scotchmans Lead-based The Mushroom Connection joined the hub in September and owner and founder Jason Crosbie said it was a great community to be a part of.

“Any small business struggles to balance the numerous demands and it’s the same for growers and producers,” he said.

“We’re so busy managing our products that a lot of other business tasks, such as marketing, promotion and networking, can fall behind.

“By joining the Hub some of that work has been helped along.”

Commerce Ballarat has plans to relaunch the hub next year through Forage and Feast, a month-long series of events that partners hub members with local venues.

A membership forum for resource sharing, workshops and training, and counselling and mental health support are also in the works.

“We want to help support our local producers to remain resilient through just about anything,” said Ms Gillet.

“Their value to our economy and our livelihood cannot be underestimated.”