A summer of celebrations

Welcome to 2018! We’re well and truly already fast-tracked into the New Year, enjoying the summer sun, the spoils of the Bellarine and perhaps even enthusiastically tackling some resolutions made.

One resolution we’ll probably never have to make is finding somewhere better to live.

The BCFsM family tend to stick around our local digs over summer – mostly due to our other work commitments but partly due to this area being a great holiday location.

The Bellarine really does cater for everyone – think endless surf beaches and bays, rock pools galore, parks and nature reserves, bike trails, fresh air and sunshine, and a seemingly never-ending array of local food and wine to try.

Being a coastal tourist haven, we invariably share these spoils with a lot of other sea-change loving folk, but it’s the perfect excuse to get out and seek opportunities to travel the road less known and find something new ourselves, be it a pop-up boutique winery, some live music, or that quiet back beach – yes, there are still some of those around!

January is also a special time at the market, as it signifies another birthday for us and this year, the BCFsM is turning six!

Even though it’s still considered a baby in the grand scheme of local Bellarine markets, we’ve learnt a lot over that time and lately have tried something new in the introduction of the Makers’ Market, to diversify, move with the times a bit and provide another avenue for all those very talented local crafters out there.

So in light of this milestone, here are my top six reasons why the BCFsM is worth celebrating to me:

1. We support local
I started with the hope of providing an event for as many local producers, farmers, makers and growers as I could find, and that still stands today. So many health, financial, environmental and community benefits flow on from this simple act so I’ve always found it worth “sticking to my guns” on this point!

2. We support community
The BCFsM is also a stage for local not-for-profit groups to come along and showcase what they do and promote themselves. We have so many important and inclusive groups that are essentially the backbone of any community, so it’s just one way we can strengthen that and to give back.

3. We are family-friendly
To provide a safe, fun and relaxing atmosphere for the whole family to be able to come together is also at the fore of all our planning and something we strive to protect and enhance, this of course includes the furry family members as well!

4. We support sustainability
The BCFsM as a whole encompasses this, from supporting low food kms, encouraging BYO bags, containers and cups, leaving a minimal footprint and by basing ourselves at Ocean Grove Park. It’s central, plus its history of being saved from development is a successful environmental and community story in itself, which the BCFsM has always been happy to support and give back to.

5. It’s a social gathering
From early morning set up with the stallholders, to chatting to the regular customers, or meeting with friends and families, there’s always love, laughter and fun for all to be shared at the market.

6. We love food
Last but not least, it’s still all about the food and that’s worth celebrating every day in my book! To quote another food lover, Julia Child: “Dining with one’s friends and beloved family is certainly one of life’s primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul satisfying and eternal.”

So be sure to come along this Saturday to another BCFsM Makers’ Market and celebrate one more year with us – to eat, drink and be merry and enjoy the rest of the endless summer.

“Fresh from our backyard.”
Cheers, Sally