By Shani Keane
A small crowd gathered recently under Moruya Riverside Park’s trees, masked and physically distanced, but very much projecting their collective gratitude. The gathering’s attention was focused on Tobie Patrick and Tim Saffery, the hard-working couple behind one of Moruya’s most successful modern day market gardening operations.
It was a week after the modest duo had set up their last Queen St Growers stall at the weekly SAGE Farmers Market, hoping to depart quietly and without a fuss. They returned somewhat reluctantly at the request of committee members, fellow producers, and customers.
Everyone felt the need to say thank you - for their commitment to the market; for their hard work; and their consistently beautiful vegetables.
Tim and Tobie’s market gardening story is intimately connected with SAGE NSW Inc, whose mission is to “grow the local fair food community of people who grow, eat, prepare, sell, share, and work with local food”.
The couple began supplying their quality, chemical-free produce to the SAGE market on its first day of operation in 2013. Customers who bought and tasted their vegetables back then, continued to form a loyal queue in front of their stall every Tuesday afternoon. Stacks of freshly picked and colourful vegetables, and sometimes homemade hommous or cucumber pickles, would quickly disappear after the ringing of the 3pm trading bell.
The trading was fast, efficient, and friendly. Tobie would chat happily with the regulars, stowing their purchases into re-usable bags and baskets. Tim would acknowledge customers with a smile and freely offer cooking tips or answer questions about the produce.
Bingie locals Kim Cross and Brian Bembrick knew Tim and Tobie before they started growing vegetables. They became loyal customers due to their personal connection, but also because they had a high regard for their produce, friendliness, and contribution to the community.
“We’ve witnessed their complete immersion into the Moruya community since their early days at The River restaurant and then later on through their stall at the markets,” said Kim.
“They’re delightful. We’re just so grateful that they’ve helped us remain healthy with such wonderful produce.”
Brian believes part of the appeal of the markets and Tim and Tobie’s positive presence was the respectful way they operated their stall next to their mentors Kirsti Wilkinson and Fraser Bayley, from Old Mill Road BioFarm. “They were supportive of each other as growers, rather than having a strong rivalry,” Brian said. Tim acknowledges Kirsti and Fraser’s influence and how critical the weekly market is to local food production by small growers.
“The SAGE Farmers Market is essential to a small-scale operation in our area, as it gives an outlet directly to the public. There’s no middle man. This market has sustained us financially from Day 1.”
Tim and Tobie, who have two young children, are taking a break from commercial vegetable growing, partly due to the physical impact of farming life and partly due to the unpredictability that comes with changing climatic conditions.
“The kids have fitted in really well to the garden business. They usually love spending time in the garden with us,” said Tim.
“The decision to change careers is based mostly on the demands on our bodies as we age. It’s becoming harder and the weather ever more challenging.”
There is also the balance between remaining small-scale but generating enough income. “It’s very hard to make enough money to employ people without getting bigger,” said Tim.
He is hopeful that market gardening will flourish in the Eurobodalla area and that customer demand for fresh produce will continue to grow.
“I’m not sure what will happen with small scale agriculture in the future with land prices going up and up. I hope people can still make it viable as the demand for healthy, quality produce is high.”
It is not the first time that Tim and Tobie have re-invented their working lives. The couple first made their mark as chefs in the Eurobodalla as successful co-owners of The River Moruya restaurant, which secured a chef’s hat in 2007 under their operation. Their love for producing acclaimed fine dining menus featuring local fresh produce eventually led them to the farming world.
“Being chefs previous to farming we had a passion for food and in particular high-quality produce,” said Tim.
“We were initially inspired by Stuart Whitelaw, by the vegetables he grew at home, and then on a bigger scale by Kirsti and Fraser. We wanted to stay close to the food industry, albeit one step back in the food chain.”
Although they are leaving behind their market gardening involvement for the time being, Tim and Tobie are firmly entrenched in the Eurobodalla. “I think what brings people here is the natural beauty, but what keeps them here is the amazing community,” said Tim.
Tim and Tobie plan to work in the education sector and will continue to grow vegetables for their family.
