A new community market has started in Trafalgar, bringing back the farming tradition of Saturday morning market shopping.
On the first Saturday of each month, the Silk Road Community hosts a farmers market in McGregor Park, Trafalgar, between 9am and 1pm.
Trafalgar local Ric Nicholson has been central to the creation of the market. Ric said the market was born out of a need in the community.
"Originally we had a little boutique market which was held at Fozziegobbles in Yarragon, but after a change of ownership we were looking for a new home," Ric said.
"A lot of people had mentioned to us that every town in Gippsland has some form of regular market, except Trafalgar. So we thought we'd try this and it was an absolute success."
Having run two successful markets so far, Ric said he'd been surprised by the number of people who attended.
"The first market had perfect weather," he said. "We had people everywhere, it was bumper to bumper which actually was quite a surprise."
Ric said the market provided local produce to be bought on a wider scale
"We had organic vegetables, sourdough bread, organic cheese and meats," he said. "It was an opportunity for people to get these things where normally you couldn't find them."
"We've got such great produce in our area, it's a good way make it available for people to go back to the traditional shopping day on a Saturday morning."
The name "Silk Road Community" stems from the ancient Eurasian trade route the "Silk Road", which allowed goods and ideas to be shared between the large empires of Rome and China.
"What we're doing is a mico version of that," Ric said. "We want to go from Drouin to Warragul to Trafalgar and Moe and just keep all those little towns alive."
As the months get warmer, Ric encouraged local stall-holders to get involved with the Trafalgar market.
"We're always happy for people who are interested to apply," Ric said. "It's really just a make it, bake it, sell it type of market, at it's a great way of supporting the town."
"We're probably going to settle at around 55 stalls," Ric said. "It works out well for the parking because there's parking all day on both sides of the street. It also raises awareness for the bowls club which is nearby."
Vendors wanting to get involved with the market can find an application form at https://silkroad.community/market.
The next Silk Road Community Trafalgar market will be held at McGregor Park Trafalgar on Saturday November 4 from 9am to 1pm.