New door opens for FarmGate

GORDON FarmGate has found a new home at The Chapel, expanding beyond their former facility across Main Street.

With an “ever-growing number of orders and suppliers,” Gordon FarmGate’s new president Ruby Glew said they needed more room quickly.

“It was really well timed. Alicia and Mark, the owners of The Chapel, were wrapping up their gift shop and they offered us the space, so we jumped at the opportunity,” she said.

“We have real loyalty from our locals, but we want to expand to the tourist market. The Chapel is a beautiful landmark building. It’s got a lot of interesting history, stain glass windows, and it’s a real drawcard.

“The whole point of FarmGate is locals supporting local, with all suppliers within 60 kilometres. We want to showcase what’s being made in the region to people around Victoria, and be a place to stop in to.”

With 40 local suppliers, including 1816 Bakery, Ballan Local Butcher, The Mushroom Connection, The Harvest and Co, Big Jims Chilli Co, Salt Kitchen Charcuterie and Goldfields Cheese, the committee is seeking to on-board more fruit and vegetable producers.

On average, about 50 people visit the shop on a Saturday. Opening their new doors last week, Ms Glew said the organisation’s first weekend at The Chapel was “whopping.”

“We all know everybody that walks into the shop by name. We love that about FarmGate, and we’re excited to be at The Chapel, to have more space, and to have the opportunity to grow,” she said.