Virtual market launched to support local business

Published on 19 May 2020

Baw Baw Shire’s menu of top shelf food producers, artists and crafts creators will soon have their wares available through an innovative ‘virtual market’ hosted by popular online tourism operator, One Hour Out.

Council is partnering with One Hour Out to open a virtual market for Baw Baw Shire producers as an innovative way to share local produce with Victorians far and wide during the coronavirus pandemic.

One Hour Out has previously launched an online market to support regional operators regionally produced food and drinks, clothing and accessories, art and craft and much more.

As part of Council’s $440,000 stage-one community and business support package, Council will be covering the cost to join and all administration related fees to sales. This allows makers and producers to sell their products locally and to Melbourne and beyond at no cost.

At the end of each checkout process, customers can also choose a charity that One Hour Out will donate $1 to - Foodbank, Greening Australia and Women’s Community Shelters.

For more information about the virtual market including an application form for local producers, please go to www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/VirtualMarket

Local producers seeking more information can also contact Council on 1300 229 229.

Participation in the virtual market was endorsed at the 22 April Council meeting as part of Council’s $440,000 stage-one community and business support package endorsed on 22 April in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Council is very excited to launch its virtual market in partnership with One Hour Out. It offers our local makers, artists and producers the opportunity to continue to connect with customers, both locally and throughout Victoria, and secure valuable income while they are unable to offer their products at local markets.”

“We’ve quickly pivoted to become a site aimed at bringing together all the same artists and producers that you might find at any country market. On the site, consumers can find everything from regionally produced food and drinks, clothing and accessories, art and craft and much more. Rather than physically strolling the country markets, you can now go online and support regional operators affected by COVID-19.”