Farmgate trade mushrooming in Smythes Creek

THE Shout! Out! Ballarat campaign has encouraged Springmount Fine Foods to boost one of their peers in the food production sector.

Springmount’s director, Carmel Masterson said the Ballarat Mushroom Farm deserve time in the spotlight, shouting them out as part of the Federation Business School Commerce Ballarat Connect Evolve Recover initiative.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, mushroom growers, Monique and Tanya Lunn have set up a farmgate shop at their Smythes Creek base.

“They managed to advertise on social media really well and got a really good response,” Mrs Masterson said.

“They went and got a few local producers on board, like egg producers, honey producers, smallgoods… so they could stock their store, and took our range on as well.”

She said the Lunns then managed the transition to farmgate sales “amazingly well,” with a range of stock that is expanding weekly.

“They’ve been absolutely inundated with customers who are wanting to support local producers. They’ve had to have crowd control up the street.

“Apart from their own mushroom varieties, they’ve got grow-your-own kits, local milk, meats, eggs, and all your weekly staples in one place,” Mrs Masterson said.

“They are very laid back, friendly, amiable and positive. They’re very happy to give anything a go, and have taken on some new products of ours. As producers, we’re so grateful that they’ve put themselves out there on behalf of everyone else.”

Having lost so much business in hospitality with the cancellation of events and closures of restaurants, producer innovation is crucial in Mrs Masterson’s eyes, in order to survive now and beyond coronavirus.

“Thinking outside the box, setting up something different, and marketing it well on social media so customers are coming through, has kept a lot of small producers afloat in these really bad times.

“Ballarat Mushroom Farm is conveniently only down the road from the Delacombe Town Centre, and they’re supporting local producers, so everyone needs to jump on board and support them,” she said.

Give a wider shout out to a local business you love by tagging #shoutoutballarat on your socials.

Visit facebook.com/B.Mushroom.Farm, springmountfinefoods.com.au and commerceballarat.com.au.