Manjimup Farmers Market officially closes after more than 20 years servicing the community
A farmers’ market which has been servicing the Manjimup community for more than 20 years has officially shut down.
Faced with the pressure of running a bi-weekly market with declining stall and visitor numbers without an executive team, the Manjimup Farmers Market committee were forced to de-register the incorporation indefinitely.
MFM president Crystal Flippen said the MFM did not have the local support it needed to continue running in its current format.
“It’s a real shame,” she said.
“It’s sad because we’re located in an area known for its fresh produce.”
The market went into recess in April before being declared defunct in November.
Ms Flippen said the committee struggled not only to get producers involved but locals’ support by attending the market or taking up a role on the committee.
“It seems as the years went on, interest seemed to decline,” she said.
“The markets actually did well through COVID because people were shopping locally however, when the state opened, the markets died.”
Previous secretary Beth Shorthouse said despite a number of people offering to get involved, no one showed at the “make or break” AGM held on November 2.
“People say they want it, but are not willing to make it happen,” she said.
Ms Shorthouse told the Times she, along with two other Manjimup locals, Paula Benson and Marie Dare, would be running a pop-up market in place of the defunct market at the same location on Mottram Street.
The first was held on November 17.
Ms Shorthouse said the pop-up market wasn’t bound by the same restrictions and regulations as the MFM and was hopeful it would become a permanent replacement.
“We intend to run another on Saturday, December 21, and then we’ll see how it goes,” she said.
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