01 May 2009

Executive Member & Role: Jonathan Walker (North Island rep.)

Name of your market: Hamilton & Cambridge Farmers’ Markets

Region: Central North Island

Your role within your market: Stallholder selling cured meats and sausage made from rare breed animals. Currently an elected Trustee (Chair) of the Hamilton and Cambridge Farmers’ Markets trust

What experience do you bring to the executive team? Practical experience in farming, butchering and related health issues as have own on-farm butchery. 3+ years as stallholder at Hamilton, have also sold at 7 different markets within the Waikato / Auckland region.

What do you think the core values of a farmers market is/are? Farmers markets make small blocks, hobbies and artisan producers viable as a business. They can raise the quality of food available to customers, they instil confidence in the food industry and are good for the local economy.

Why are you passionate about farmers markets?

Anything else of interest? I am pro-competition and anti-protectionist markets.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing farmers markets in NZ looking into the future? The biggest challenge is authenticity.