- Published:
- Saturday 18 December 2021
As families across Victoria prepare for Christmas and the holiday season, the Andrews Labor Government is encouraging all Victorians to celebrate with local produce on their tables.
Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas today visited Melbourne’s iconic Queen Victoria Market to meet with local sellers, shoppers and promote the world-class produce on offer.
Victoria is renowned for its high quality produce including cheese, ham, poultry and cherries – just to name a few of the Christmas favourites. Agricultural production has contributed $17.8 billion to the state’s economy in 2019-20.
The Queen Victoria Market has been operating for 130 years and is well known for its large variety of fresh produce including fruits and vegetables, meat, chicken, seafood, and delicatessen products.
As the State continues to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, many local traders will rely on the festive season trade to bounce back.
The Labor Government has allocated more than $13 billion in business support since the pandemic began, helping more than 260,000 Victorian businesses.
The Government also continues to support Victorian producers through the Small-Scale and Craft Program. This is a four-year initiative delivering on an election commitment, ‘Taking Our Local Produce to the World’. Many of the products made by these small-scale and craft producers can be found at the Queen Victoria Market.
Victoria’s agriculture sector is a key part of Victoria’s economy and the Queen Victoria Market is a great place in Melbourne to taste and buy some of our state’s famous produce.
The 10-year Victorian Agriculture strategy sets out a way forward to help drive Victoria’s recovery from the pandemic and bolster the economy by strengthening local supply chains and supporting opportunities for local manufacturing.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas
“We are so fortunate in Victoria to have access to such a wide range of premium produce to enjoy with family and friends at the Christmas table this festive season. Cheese, ham, poultry, wine, seafood – you name it – our local markets have you covered.”
“Every time we buy food and drinks that are locally produced we help businesses to recover and support jobs.”
Quotes attributable to General Manager of Market Trading at Queen Victoria Market Spiros Foscolos
“The Queen Victoria Market is the perfect place to support local Victorian producers and find everything you need this festive season.”
“With more than 550 shops and stalls, our Market has just what you need to make this Christmas extra special with the best festive produce, gifts and fun for the whole family.”