History

The first Farmers Market at the Warwick Farm Racecourse took place in October 2002 and was both run and funded by the NSW Farmers Association.

The Association controlled the market until October 2004. Despite a growing number of customers from South Western Sydney, and indeed from all areas of metropolitan Sydney, the NSW Farmers Association withdrew from management of the market.

Stallholders resolved to continue under their own management and in November 2004 United Growers Pty Ltd was formed. The company was comprised of eleven shareholders, each personally contributing the capital and working funds required to operate the market. Warwick Farm Trackside Market commenced trading under this management and without any interruption to its loyal following of customers.

The market continued to operate in line with its core values; namely that stallholders can only sell goods at market if they have actually grown or produced their own products. This ensures only the freshest and healthiest items are for sale with supporting local and farming business’. Resellers, who purchase products wholesale and then on-sell are acting contrary to the spirit of the market and every effort has been made to prevent this from occurring.

After authentication and approval, existing stallholder are able to purchase fresh produce directly from their neighbours or other farmers if that product is not available at the market. This helps the market increase the variety of produce available to customers.

We are proud to say that since the inception of the market in 2002 there have only been two weeks when the market was unable to trade.

Neither bush fires, hailstorms nor floods have stopped the market. The presence of equine influenza in August 2007, however, forced the market to relocate temporarily to Chipping Norton and we were closed for two Saturdays whilst this was organised. The temporary site was gratefully utilised for twelve months and on 23 August 2008 we moved back to Warwick Farm Racecourse with great fanfare and celebrations. We offer many thanks to Liverpool Council for their assistance during the temporary re-location.

In 2015 part of the race course was sold and major renovation at the site once again meant the market has been relocated to Childs Park, Ascot Dr, Chipping Norton, just four minutes up the road. On the 3rd October 2015 we and our loyal customers moved again. It was not known how long this stay will be, but in the meantime we have been enjoying the village atmosphere with stallholders setting up under tents and marquees.    

In 2019 as the market customers seem to be happy with the Childs Park venue and the return to the race course seems to be less likely to happen, the board decided to do a re-brand.  On 1 June 2019 the new name for the market was announced as the Liverpool Growers & Foodies Market.  The formal public launch was set for 15 June 2019 to lineup with the Liverpool City Council announcement of their Destination Management Plan for the LGA at our market.