A last-minute venue change to ensure maximum COVID-safety saw the Saturday market moved from its usual winter site at the Naylor Pavilion to Northcourt - a decision which the weather also rewarded.

Other measures which included the outdoor wearing of masks and QR check-in, ultimately allowed the much-loved community event to still go ahead during a time when so many others had been forced to cancel.

For the many small businesses who patron the monthly markets, it was a relief to still have August's event go ahead.

Perhaps none more-so than Condobolin citrus fruit producer Ruth Crompton whose oranges just hit their sweetness-peak.

The stallholder has been bringing oranges as well as lemons, limes and mandarins grown on her own orchard to the Farmers' Market for the past 12 years with her husband Bobby.

"We sold out the lot," Mrs Crompton said. "We had the ute fairly well loaded. I think there was about 50 big [bags of fruit] and about 80 little ones.

"It was busy but not as busy as it is over in the shed [at the Naylor Pavilion], but I suppose a lot of people are frightened," Mrs Crompton added, explaining that there was slightly less stallholders too due to the COVID restrictions which prevented some from coming out.

The husband and wife team usually travel all over the Central West selling their fruit at the markets during the winter season - the peak time for oranges - but over the past month the Orange Farmers' Market is the only one which hasn't has had to cancel its regular event.

The Farmers' Market is held on the second Saturday of every month from 8am until 12pm. Orders can be made in advance through the market's website and collected on the day.

The next market will be on Saturday, September 11, at Northcourt (the park behind the cultural precinct and library).

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