Benton Rise Farm Market
150 Coolart Road, Tuerong, Victoria
Owner: Ryan & Debra Sharpley
Phone: 0410 663 702
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What sort of business is Benton Rise Farm Market?
Benton Rise Farm is a community focused fresh fruit and vegetable market on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. We focus on growing and sourcing the freshest local produce on the peninsula. It is only a small property, so we have to be mindful of the space ensuring that all land is used in the most efficient manner. It is a place where families can bring the kids out for the day, see and feed the animals, walk around the veggie patch and enjoy the atmosphere. The centrepiece of the market is the 100-year-old ‘Red Rattler’ train carriage that we use as the shop front for the market (which is currently being restored!)
Our market focuses on providing the local community the highest quality local products.
Our weekends are a busy time (as we open on Saturday and Sunday only) Saturday morning is an early start setting up the train for the day’s trade and continues through to Sunday afternoon, where we inevitably sell out of produce! All produce is picked fresh on the Friday!
During the week we spend time tending to the veggie patch and the menagerie of animals which include old rare breed pigs (Wessex Saddleback), purebred Toggenburg dairy goats, and a flurry of chickens!
We are also in the final stages of preparation for establishing our aquaponic setup in the newly refurbed greenhouse which will increase our production of leafy greens, micro herbs, and all other tasty morsels.
How did Benton Rise come to be?
The previous owners of the property had grown and sourced local produce since the late 1990’s when they started the market and nursery. Over time it has become a little tourist destination in itself, with the manicured gardens, veggie patch and eclectic mix of artifacts around the property.
What prompted you to pop a pile of Pip Magazine on the shelf?
I initially bought a subscription of the first Pip Magazine as a customer – as the content looked like it ticked many of the boxes my wife and I have as interests. After receiving the first copy – it was a natural addition to our market, as our customers love the content as much as we do – interested in self-sufficiency, organic produce production and all other ‘green’ things!
