Berwick Farmers Market
A monthly farm-produce-only market at Berwick's 1860s Old Cheese Factory, entry by gold coin donation.
About this market
The Old Cheese Factory in Berwick began life in the 1860s as part of the Springfield Estate, and it's still the venue for a market with its own community-fundraising roots: Berwick Farmers Market, first run by the Rotary Club of Berwick in January 2007 and relaunched in its current form in 2012, now managed by the City of Casey as part of the wider Old Cheese Factory precinct.
Farm produce only, no craft stalls
The market runs on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 8am to 12:30pm, and it holds to a strict farm-origin rule rather than mixing in general craft stalls. Expect farm-fresh fruit and vegetables, open-range eggs, honey, baked goods, artisan breads, vegetable seedlings, ethically raised meats, jams and preserves, dairy, wine, nuts and ready-to-eat food, with entry by gold coin donation. That focus makes it a reliable stop for a genuine weekly-shop-style haul rather than a browse through crafts and secondhand goods.
Market at a glance
The Old Cheese Factory grounds carry more heritage than the name suggests: alongside the original 1860s Springfield buildings, a Glen Waverley Methodist church and a shop from Gloucester Avenue were both relocated onto the site in the 1980s, the church itself handed to council for a token $1. Those relocated buildings now sit alongside the original homestead, cheese factory and kitchen wash house that make up the heritage precinct.
One of the heritage buildings on the Old Cheese Factory grounds, a former Glen Waverley Methodist church, was sold to the council for just $1 in the 1980s, with council covering the roughly $2000 cost of moving it.
Good to know before you go
Because it's a farm-produce-only market, don't expect the craft and secondhand stalls found at general markets nearby, this one is squarely about food. The Old Cheese Factory grounds have a playground on site, making it an easy stop for families doing the monthly shop alongside a run around. The gold coin donation entry is a nice touch too, since it goes straight back into keeping the market running rather than to a commercial operator.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How often is Berwick Farmers Market held?
- On the 2nd Saturday of every month, from 8am to 12:30pm, at the Old Cheese Factory on Homestead Road.
- Is Berwick Farmers Market a craft market too?
- No. It's run deliberately as a no-craft market, sticking to farm-origin produce like fruit and veg, eggs, honey, baked goods, meat and preserves.
- Is there an entry fee?
- Entry is by gold coin donation, with proceeds supporting the local community group that runs the market.