Val, Ngaire and Frances making everyone feel welcome at the Market.
Story and photos by Lis Bastian
Take a tour of the Gang Gang Farmers Market in Lithgow, meet some stallholders and whet your appetite for their Spring re-opening.
Key Points:
Lithgow’s Gang Gang Farmers Market supports local producers to provide quality fresh food direct to the community.
The Markets are plastic-free thanks to the support of Lithgow Boomerang Bags
The Markets will be closed over winter and will re-open in Spring
I could have kicked myself for arriving late on my first visit to the Gang Gang Farmers Market in Lithgow. Over winter, the Market had been starting earlier, but I underestimated how popular it was and how locals came every week to stock up on the incredible variety of quality locally grown and produced food: mushrooms, sourdough, eggs, meats, cheeses, chutneys and relishes, fresh seasonal fruit and veg, olive oils, honey, warm soups and chai, cakes, alcohol, and lots more.
Nestled in to the side of Lithgow’s Gang Gang Gallery in James St, the Market squeezes a lot into a small space, and felt much bigger than it actually is. As well as the 17 stalls, there was a buzz in the air: a combination of the live music, laughter and many friendly conversations.
I’ve now missed my chance to visit again this winter, because they’ve closed over the bleak months, but they’ll re-open in Spring and I’ve already marked the date in my diary! You can keep track of opening times via the Gang Gang Farmers Market Facebook page.
Sharon Howard (Gang Gang Gallery) and Steve McCulloch (Lithgow Valley Mushrooms)
Sharon Howard, from Gang Gang Gallery, started the Market nearly 8 months ago:
“There’s a large group of Lithgow people that have wanted to have their own Farmers Market for some time,” she told me. With her daughter Ngaire’s help, she began asking around and was surprised at the positive reception from everyone. “The stallholders themselves are really embracing the market. Everyone’s really happy with it.”
The first people she asked to participate were Steve McCulloch and his wife from Lithgow Valley Mushrooms. They are now stalwarts of the market, with Steve making warm soup for visitors over the cooler months.
Lithgow Valley Mushrooms
By the time I arrived at the Market, all the fresh mushrooms had been sold but you could still buy mushroom growing kits and powders.
Locally grown chokoes, potatoes and kohlrabi.
Ngaire Howard says the Market is the highlight of her week: “Every place should have a Farmers’ Market because it’s so good for the community on so many levels.”
She’s particularly proud that they’re a plastic-free market, with carry bags provided by Boomerang Bags. She encourages people to join the members of Boomerang Bags, who meet and sew reusable shopping bags on Fridays from 10.30am to 2.30pm at LINC (Lithgow Information & Neighbourhood Centre).
Karen Purser, from the Lithgow Transformation Hub, tells me she comes to the Market every week: “I love that it’s a great community social space and I like buying direct from the producers.”
Karen Purser from the Lithgow Transformation Hub does her shopping every week at the Market.
Aaron from Harvest Farms at the end of the day.
Aaron from Harvest Farms sees a real demand in Lithgow for organic local produce because there aren’t many other options available. He chats to avid local gardeners who are keen to get advice on growing veg and, he says, “There are a lot of good cooks here! I buy from everyone here too. It’s part of growing a local circular economy instead of just giving money to large shopping chains.”
The Market supports local producers and is held on a Thursday to allow for the stallholders to do markets further afield on the weekend.
Elderflower Mist from Widdenbrook Farm
Darren Baguley from Widdenbrook Farm on Nullo Mountain, Lithgow talked about how he and his wife started Elderflower Mist, which they’re now selling across Australia:
You can sample a wide range of other artisanal produce:
Wilson Family Olive Oil
Rusty Gate Honey
Maria from South Bowenfels specialises in delicious Greek sweets
Take a tip from me. If you want some of the delicious locally baked Greek sweets created by Maria from Delixious Bites get to the market early!
And here’s just a sample of some of the other great stalls:
I’m looking forward to the Market being on again in September.
Take Action:
Visit the Gang Gang Farmers Markets in Spring.
Take your own bags and consider joining Boomerang Bags Lithgow to reduce textile waste.
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
The Blue Mountains Peace Symposium kicks off at 10am today at the Planetary Health Centre: 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba (former Katoomba Golf Course). Lots of dry cosy warm events! View the full program and reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium...
Warm your heart, mind and body at the Peace Symposium this Saturday. Support local businesses when you grab a steaming hot Roasters with Altitude coffee, and sample delicious plant-based foods from Bibi’s Kitchen, 1Two1 Cafe, Good Fat Pastry and Whisk & Pin. We’re kicking off with free Tai Chi & Quigong at 8am, talks and community forums on peace from 10-4pm, art for peace, and the indoor ‘community picnic’ from 12.30 with Ecopella and the Bearded Ladies Community Choir, origami crane and badge making, and a RoseyRavelston book stall! The Symposium is being held at the Planetary Health Centre: 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba (former Katoomba Golf Club) View the full program and reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
This Saturday the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium will start at 10am with powerful and moving presentations by Dharug man Chris Tobin and Japanese journalist and teacher Harumi Hayakawa. Join Harumi over lunch to make origami cranes for peace, hope and healing in memory of Sadako Sasaki. "At just two years old, she was exposed to radiation in Hiroshima. At twelve, she developed leukaemia. While in hospital, she heard the legend: if you fold 1,000 paper cranes, your wish will come true. Her wish was to recover. She folded cranes with hope and determination—but sadly, she passed away at just twelve. Her story touched hearts around the world, and the paper crane has since become a global symbol of peace." (Harumi Hayakawa) The Symposium is being held at the Planetary Health Centre: 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba (former Katoomba Golf Club) View the full program and reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
We`re setting up lots of cosy warm indoor spaces for the Peace Symposium and `Community Picnic` this Sat 2nd August and we`re thrilled that RosyRavelston Books will be there with their `books that change the world`! The Blue Mountains Peace Collective presented them with this poster designed by Melbourne-based Japanese artist Hiroyasu Tsuri, also known as TWOONE@t_w_o_o_n_e. @ican_australia commissioned this artwork to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the US bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan and the first nuclear test on First Nations land in New Mexico, USA, in 1945. It depicts symbols of peace and survival in the wake of nuclear devastation. View the full program for the Symposium and book your tickets here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
Sixteen-year-old HART Youth Ambassador, Matilda Emmerich will be displaying her oil painting and poem “Where Hope Sits" and discussing her experience of having it banned at 11.30am this Saturday 2nd August at the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Artwork and poem can be seen here: https://www.hartyouth.com/art
Places are limited so bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
Rotarians from throughout the District gathered at the Planetary Health Centre on Sunday to launch Greater Blue Mountains Rotary and its first fundraising campaign to purchase Rooming-in Cribs for Blue Mountains Hospital. Bringing together the expertise and resources of the former Blackheath, Katoomba and Central Blue Mountains Clubs, this exciting new collaboration reflects Rotary International’s theme for 2025-26: “Unite for Good”. The Planetary Health Centre has been collaborating with Rotary to deliver our monthly Skill Share program, and Rotarian Jennifer Scott AM will speak about Rotary’s international work for people, planet and peace at the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium next Saturday 2nd August. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
For more information about Greater Blue Mountains Rotary and how you can get involved email planetaryhealth@bmcc.nsw.gov.au or ring 0407 437 553
We’re thrilled to announce that the Environmental choir Ecopella will be performing at the Planetary Health Symposium and Community Picnic at 12.30pm next Saturday 2nd August at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. They’re passionate, satirical and creative. This image is the cover of one of their CDs. You can view the full program and reserve your spot for the day here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
How do we respond to a world at war? Join the community conversation at the Peace Symposium`s midday forum at the Planetary Health Centre on Sat 2 August. In his book 1984, Orwell wrote: "War, it will be seen, not only accomplishes the necessary destruction, but accomplishes it in a psychologically acceptable way." "The primary aim of modern warfare is to use up the products of the machine without raising the general standards of living." This poster will be one of a number on display at the Symposium. View the full program and book here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
It`s just over a week to the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium and Community Picnic on Sat 2 Aug at the Planetary Health Centre. View the full program and book here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
A huge thank you to @kindlehill_high_school and their fabulous students who`ve been visiting the Planetary Health Centre on Wednesdays to help us regenerate the bushland and develop our site. They`ve reduced the risk of fire around the Centre by replacing flammable vegetation with gravel; they`ve planted citrus trees for our edible winter garden; and they`ve spent two visits regenerating bushland. Today alone they`ve removed 250 privet plants! Such great work to restore habitat for wildlife and help us build a demonstration site for the community. #volunteers #community #bushcare #ediblegarden #disasterriskreduction #habitat #regeneration...
Our free Winter Tai Chi was so popular last month we`re offering it again for free on Sat 2nd August. It will be the first activity of the day as part of our Peace Symposium and Community Picnic at the Planetary Health Centre. Bookings essential here as places are limited(link in profile):
In 1986, the Blue Mountains celebrated the International Year of Peace with a Peace March in Hazelbrook. Join us for the Peace Symposium and Community Picnic at the Planetary Health Centre on Saturday 2nd August. 2025 has been declared the International Year of Peace and Trust because of the urgent need to reestablish these and reinvigorate a global culture of peace in our current turbulent times. This poster was created by Don McGregor, one of the founders of the Blue Mountains Peace Collective, and will be on display at the Symposium. You can view the program and purchase tickets for the Symposium here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/blue-mountains-peace-symposium
Lis Bastian is the Senior Lead for Blue Mountains City Council’s Planetary Health Initiative. She is the editor of the Local News Platforms and has been a writer, editor, news presenter and teacher/lecturer covering both cultural and environmental issues for over 30 years. She has been pioneering Solutions/Constructive Journalism in Australia since 2012.
The story of Lithgow Environment Group is a saga spanning nearly two decades of their heroic struggle against fire, local habitat destruction, weak government legislation and in particular, irresponsible mining practices.
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