Jeff “Jonesy” Jones will be sharing his experience gained from 63 years as a Bacchus Marsh fruit and vegetable trader at a free BaccChat event at the Lerderderg Library on Saturday, August 5.
In 1960 Jeff Jones Plants and Produce began in full, when the farmer built a shed at the front of his property on the Avenue of Honour and began trading seven days a week.
Mr Jones said it was a part of a push to buy local, straight from the farm with no middle man involved.
“The fruit and vegetable trade is like one big family who all talk the same language in business, retail, weather and wholesale,” he said.
“Farming in The Avenue has changed in the last 60 years from dairy farms to orchards and vegetables… I see The Avenue being primary production for a long time into the future…”
Mr Jones said the uniting factor for all farmers is that they share the same boss.
“Primary production across the board has to cope with the head CEO being Mother Nature,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter how big or small your property is or how much money you have she is still the boss lady.”
The produce shop closed its doors last year, Mr Jones said age, changing times, and Covid all made it feel like it was time.
“The customers you meet and the staff that we have employed and watch grow into incredible adults has made the last 63 years of hard work all worthwhile… The memories will be with us forever,” he said.
