Market life always fruitful

Mieng Chang (above) grew up amid the stalls of Rusty’s Markets so it was only natural he would follow in his parent’s footsteps.

MIENG Chang grew up amid the fruit and vegetable stalls of Rusty’s Markets so it was only natural he would follow in his parent’s footsteps.

The 26-year-old works for PMG, just a stone’s throw from another stall run by his parents in the cavernous marketplace between Sheridan and Grafton streets.

He has been running his own franchise for three years.

A market stall is a temporary structure set up to sell your products or services.

They are usually set up for a short period of time at a particular market or event, before being taken down and removed.

Mr Chang’s stall at Rusty’s is open from Friday to Sunday each week.

Stall holders selling fruit, vegetables, or other goods by measurement, must comply with trade measurement laws.

Trade measurement laws cover how you measure and label your goods, and the measurement tools, such as scales, that you can use.

“I love talking to locals, the same people will often come in to buy fresh stock each week and it’s good to get to know people,” Mr Chang said.

“I’ve been here all my life, Rusty’s is like a second home to me.

“A lot of the produce we source locally from Atherton, Mareeba and Innisfail.

“The lettuce we have to get from down south, but the Thai basil and the chokos I grow myself.”

The Bentley Park resident said he was proud of the business and hoped his own son would carry on the family tradition. But in summer, the job was a challenge.

“Probably the only downside would be the heat,” Mr Chang said.

“It does get pretty bad and it makes the stock go off quicker. But this is Cairns, so we just have to put up with it.”