Flemington Farmers' Market
Melbourne's first VFMA-accredited farmers market, in a suburb named after the racecourse that's hosted the Melbourne Cup since 1861.
About this market
Flemington Farmers' Market trades every Sunday in Ascot Vale, a suburb whose very name is tied to Australia's biggest horse race. Ascot Vale is believed to be named after England's Ascot Racecourse, reflecting the area's deep association with horseracing that began in 1840, when racing first took place along the nearby Maribyrnong River at what became Flemington Racecourse, still hosting the Melbourne Cup every year since 1861.
Melbourne's first accredited farmers market, in racing's back yard
Beyond its racing-adjacent postcode, the market holds a genuine first of its own: it was Melbourne's first farmers market to receive Victorian Farmers' Market Association accreditation, a formal guarantee that every stallholder actually grows or makes what they sell rather than reselling wholesale stock. That accreditation gives shoppers confidence the meats, fruits, nuts, honey and juices on offer come directly from the people who produced them.
Market at a glance
Reviewers consistently praise the quality over sheer size, describing a smaller but genuinely well-curated market with a strong pet-friendly vibe, dogs welcome on leash, alongside a solid range of meats, pet food and bones that keeps regulars coming back week after week.
Ascot Vale's name traces back to its horseracing history near the Maribyrnong River, the same association that gave the world the Melbourne Cup, hosted at nearby Flemington Racecourse every year since 1861, making Flemington Farmers' Market a Sunday fixture in one of Australia's most historically significant racing precincts.
Good to know before you go
Being VFMA-accredited is worth knowing if provenance and knowing exactly who grew your food matters, a genuine point of difference from resale-heavy markets. Bringing a leashed dog is a common and welcomed sight here, part of the market's relaxed, small-scale character.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What time does Flemington Farmers' Market open?
- Sunday, 9am to 1pm, at Ascot Vale Primary School, Moonee Street, Ascot Vale.
- What makes it Melbourne's first VFMA-accredited market?
- Flemington Farmers' Market was Melbourne's first farmers market to receive Victorian Farmers' Market Association accreditation, a guarantee that every stallholder actually grows or makes what they sell, rather than reselling produce sourced elsewhere.
- Why is the suburb called Ascot Vale?
- Ascot Vale takes its name from its long association with horseracing, believed to reference the English Ascot Racecourse. Horseracing had taken place by the Maribyrnong River from 1840, and the Flemington Racecourse established that year has hosted the Melbourne Cup, Australia's most prestigious horse race, since 1861.