Case for single food, produce and craft market
The closure of a long-running but underperforming market has prompted talks between growers and Taranaki’s economic development agency about how to create a bigger and more inclusive farmers market in New Plymouth.
Taranaki Farmers Market board member Carl Freeman said there ‘‘have been a lot of conversations going on behind the scenes’’ since the Mill market in New Plymouth petered out after more than 20 years.
‘‘We have been partnering with New Plymouth District Council and Venture Taranaki to explore this option,’’ he said.
Freeman, who is a horticulture tutor at Witt, said the Taranaki Farmers Market in Huatoki Plaza had been running for 18 years, and he would love to hear from ‘‘makers, bakers, growers and customers’’ about how to make the market more ‘‘vibrant’’.
The farmers market, and the Seaside Market at Ngāmotu Beach, are the two most established in the region but each has a different focus, with the Seaside Market largely focused on crafts, smallgoods and food trucks.
‘‘It might be that we can combine with the Seaside Market and the Seaside Market goes every week,’’ Freeman said.
Nationally respected market gardener Jodi Roebuck believed Taranaki growers were ready to join a single weekly market.
‘‘The problem in Taranaki with our markets is competition between the markets that are very small.
‘‘I really believe we should have one big market space where everybody can join together and in a venue that is weather-proof.’’
Roebuck said he had sold produce at the Mill market but since it closed he had focused on selling vegetables online and delivering
produce to retail stores in New Plymouth, though he wished ‘‘it wasn’t like that’’.
There are currently a number of markets in the region. As well as the Taranaki Farmers Market on Sundays and the monthly Seaside Market, there is the Hāwera Saturday Market, Te Rūrū Coastal Market in kato, the Waitara Market and Stratford Prospero Farmers Market.
Roebuck would like to see a weekly market held at some weatherproof venue like the TSB Stadium in New Plymouth where growers, food trucks and other stallholders could be assured of consistent customer numbers.
Such farmers markets are common around the country with many, such as the Market Central Taupo, becoming huge tourist drawcards.
Frankley Farm Collective coowner Phil Smiley said it was vital for produce sellers to know that customers were going to come if they set up a stall. ‘‘So I absolutely agree that we should have a larger market in a more controlled environment,’’ he said.
But he said they would continue to deliver vegetable boxes direct to customers as not everyone wanted to leave their house to buy their produce.
‘‘People are looking for convenience. They want¯Oto click a button and have the box dropped off at their door.’’
In Lepperton, Karla Gichard said her Six Acres Farm did not have the right volume of vegetables to be able to supply a farmers market stall.
Gichard started in 2015 by planting one acre of exotic citruses and has been growing ‘‘the usual and
Karla Gichard, left, says her Six Acres Farm does not have the right volume of vegetables to be able to supply a farmers market stall. new’’ like Italian radicchio and Jerusalem artichokes ever since.
For her being part of a community was the most important thing and the farmers market would be an extra commitment, on top of selling produce to retail shops and local restaurants.
‘‘I would rather supply loyal, regular, consistent customers.’’
Toby Dixon, of Kaitake Farm in Oakura, sells direct to customers and through a digital honesty box system.
He said they would consider joining a big Taranaki farmers market but they would need to increase the size and productivity of their small farm.
‘‘I am all in for the idea of a farmers market and yes we would consider it but we would have to be bigger.’’