Camden Town Farm

The Camden Produce Markets were established in 2001 as part of the Macarthur Agri Tourism Project, an initiative led by the Macarthur Region of Councils (MACROC) and supported through NSW Government funding aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture in the region. The markets were initially held on a monthly basis in John Street, Camden, coordinated by MACROC in partnership with the Camden Main Street Committee, with a focus on connecting local producers directly with the community and showcasing regional agricultural output.

Following the cessation of NSW Government funding in 2003, MACROC undertook an informal Expression of Interest (EOI) process to identify an ongoing market operator. As a result, Macarthur Growers Pty Ltd, formed by a collective of stallholders, was selected to operate the markets. During this period, the markets expanded to operate twice monthly, continuing at their John Street location and beginning to strengthen their identity as a regular community event.

In 2005, the markets were relocated to Camden Town Farm, aligning the event more closely with the area’s agricultural heritage and providing a dedicated rural setting. This move represented a significant step in the maturation of the markets, enabling growth in scale, consistency, and identity.

In 2008, development consent for the markets was revised to formalise their operation, permitting the markets to be held every Saturday, with exceptions for key community events including Australia Day, the Camden Show, and ANZAC Day. This effectively established the markets as a weekly fixture, embedding them as a regular and dependable part of the Camden community calendar.

Over the following decade, under the ongoing operation of Macarthur Growers Pty Ltd, the markets became a well-established and valued community asset, strongly associated with the “paddock to plate” ethos. The markets grew in scale and reputation, supporting local producers, encouraging agritourism, and forming a key component of Camden Town Farm’s activation and community use.

In 2021, the Camden Town Farm Section 355 Committee formalised the operational arrangement through a biennial usage agreement with Macarthur Growers Pty Ltd. This marked a shift toward more structured governance and oversight of the markets as a Council asset.

Building on evolving governance expectations and best-practice requirements under the Local Government framework, Council initiated a formal, competitive Expression of Interest process in 2025–2026 to select a future operator. This process represented a transition toward:

• Transparent procurement practices
• Defined operational and reporting expectations
• Alignment with Council’s strategic objectives and community outcomes

The markets continue to operate as a weekly event at Camden Town Farm, now positioned as a key strategic and community asset that:

• Celebrates local agriculture and producers
• Supports community connection and engagement
• Aligns with broader Council objectives relating to sustainability, tourism, and economic activity

The current direction emphasises strong governance, stakeholder engagement, and long-term sustainability, while maintaining the  core community-driven and producer-focused values established since inception.