Help keep local store open

By Tina Seirlis

A recent call out by Gordon FarmGate suggests the much-loved not for profit providing produce to Gordon and surrounds could be at risk unless more volunteers come forward. The store first opened in 2021 and is a not-for-profit organisation that supports local farmers and producers to sell their products directly to locals.

“We try to prioritise small scale non-commercial producers and ethically grown and produced products to create a resilient, local food community. This includes supporting hobbyists who live around the area and grow fresh food in their own backyard,” says Liz, Produce Coordinator.

Run entirely by volunteers, and supporting up to 30 small scale local producers (everything from milk, cheese, eggs, deli, fruit, veg, pastries, bread, preserves and more), the FarmGate is based in a charming former church in Gordon’s town centre. The store is open every Saturday 9am til midday and according to the group, can often receive 50 customers during this time, and many more in the summer months. Approximately 70 per cent of customers are said to be from within the Central Highlands area, with the balance tourists from Melbourne and interstate. Volunteers take turns running the store on Saturdays, and a volunteer management committee undertakes the behind-the-scenes work, including picking up produce from local suppliers on Fridays.

Current Volunteer Coordinator Ashley Samson said she loves volunteering in the shop, “because you get to meet locals, learn more about them, and every weekend we’ve got customers who’ve never met before having a yarn while waiting in line.”

Ms Samson said recipes are swapped, advice for chicken care and recommendations for sheep shearers given.

“Most of our volunteers start volunteering because they’re new to the area and want to meet people and the Farmgate gives them a place to do that, and have a sense of belonging in the community.”

The types of volunteers needed by the group include back-of-house admin roles that can be done remotely, inclusive of president and treasurer, with a commitment of 1-2 hours per week. Monthly meetings occur via video making it easier to be anywhere. Help is also needed from those who can assist collecting fresh produce on Fridays and curating the store, through to volunteering in-store on Saturday mornings. For those wanting to try their hand at being a volunteer barista, the FarmGate has a new coffee machine with thanks to a recent grant.

“There isn’t anywhere else in Gordon to buy the kind of fresh produce and pastries that we stock. If we were to close, people would need to get in the car and drive to Ballan or Ballarat, but might struggle to find so many locally produced items in one place. I love that my eggs and milk come from animals that live within 15 minutes of my house, that my bread is baked that morning by my neighbour – that’s not something I’d get going into a larger supermarket chain in Ballarat.”

Those wanting to explore the volunteering opportunities with Gordon FarmGate can contact them via Facebook, or can drop into the store on Saturdays.
The Gordon FarmGate is located in the Main street, nearly opposite the post office.