Case Studies
Subi Farmers Market

Design Feature

Type of project
Placemaking
State
Western Australia
Location
Urban
Schools play an important role in encouraging and promoting healthy eating patterns and physical activity in our community. The Subiaco Primary School engages with the local community in many positive ways to support healthy community outcomes. One of the highlights of this proactive approach to sharing the facilities of the school is the weekly Subiaco Farmers’ Market. The collaboration between the primary school and the farmers market is an excellent local, small-scale approach to more effectively share facilities, improve the accessibility and availability of fresh food, and encourage activity.
Utilising community facilities
The Subiaco Farmers’ Market Committee Inc operates the market as a not-for-profit organisation. The Market operates from 8am to noon every Saturday in the grounds of the Subiaco Primary School. 

The Subiaco Farmers’ Market is an innovative approach to the use of school grounds, provision of fresh and healthy food options and engagement with the community. The Market Operator is the Subiaco Farmers’ Market Committee, affiliated with the Australian Farmers' Markets Association (AFMA). The AFMA is a voluntary association, which promotes grower-centric farmers' markets across Australia.

The Subiaco Farmers’ Market Committee has a number of primary aims some of which are:
  • To provide customers with regular supplies of fresh food and access to improved nutrition.
  • To contribute to the economic, social and health capital of the host community.

The market supports the school creed, which identifies the school as not just a building but also a gathering of minds and hearts and a place of friendly guidance and help. It is the values, the people and the commitment of both organisations that has allowed for innovation. The collaborative approach and sharing of facilities has seen positive outcomes for both organisations and the surrounding community. 
Project team
  • Australian Farmers' Markets Association (AFMA)
  • Subiaco Primary School
  • Subiaco Farmers’ Market Committee
  • Local community

Project cost
Ongoing 
Health value
  • The objective of the Subiaco Farmers’ Market is to provide fresh and healthy food to a local community. Emerging research indicates that access to fresh and healthy food has a positive impact on reducing the chronic diseases affecting our communities.
  • The Subiaco Farmers’ Market is an additional destination in the Subiaco Town Centre, supporting increased physical activity in the local community.
  • There are long term health and wellbeing benefits to exposing school children to more healthy ways of living with a focus on the value of fresh and healthy food.

Economic value
  • The Subiaco Farmers’ Market provides a variety of fresh and healthy food options, in close proximity to the community, reducing the need to travel long distances to other markets.
  • It provides an opportunity for suppliers and producers, not able to secure a contract with the large supermarkets, to establish a customer base on the scale they can service.
  • Exposing the local community to a greater variety of produce, not necessarily available commercially, attracts a more diverse customer base.

Environmental value
  • The fresh and healthy foods at the markets educate children and parents about the environment and how the seasons can influence the availability of fresh vegetables, fruit and meats.
  • The market exposes the children and youth to a greater diversity of non-processed foods providing a visible and recognisable link to the source of our food.

Social value
  • The fresh and healthy foods at the markets educate children and parents about the environment and how the seasons can influence the availability of fresh vegetables, fruit and meats.
  • The market exposes the children and youth to a greater diversity of non-processed foods providing a visible and recognisable link to the source of our food.

Use value
  • The market enables the Subiaco Primary School to promote community activities. An initiative like the artist in residence promotes links to a wider community, reaching a more diverse group of people
  • Subiaco Farmers’ Market is an innovative way to use a space that is under-utilised during the weekend.

References

Australian Farmers Market Association: http://www.farmersmarkets.org.au/


City of Subiaco: http://www.subiaco.wa.gov.au/

Subiaco Farmers’ Market: http://subifarmersmarket.com.au/

Subiaco Primary School: http://subiacops.wa.edu.au/


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