The Little Market That Could

By Annabel Sweetnam-Groom Nestled in the heart of the City is a little gem, offering local, handmade goodies at City Fix Farmers’ Market open 11 to 2 every Wednesday at Central Park. Market Manager, Charlotte Kenyon, says that it’s a great place for people who work in the city. “[They] come outside, enjoy the sun, sit on the grass and listen to some music and buy some locally handcrafted things from Perth, maybe pick up a few ingredients for the dinner.” “It’s just to create a nice atmosphere!” Charlotte says that it’s not like going into a busy, impersonal supermarket to hurriedly get your shopping done on your lunch break. Co-founder of You Plate It, Mark Rawlings says it gave his new small business a place to cut its teeth. His business offers healthy, home-cooked meals made easy by taking the planning, shopping and measuring out of getting dinner on the table. “It’s a great opportunity to promote our brand to potential customers.” Mark says it’s like a pop-up shop right in the middle of the city giving busy professionals unique access to his brand. Jenny Holten, the owner at Strange Grains, says that she enjoys the farmers’ markets that offer more fresh, wholesome food made by the stallholders. “It’s good publicity and you find clients who didn’t even know you existed!” While there are many positives about this initiative, some stallholders have raised concerns about not being able to sell ready-to-eat food and beverages, as the company that owns the land, Rio Tinto, is concerned about their other tenants losing business. They also voiced concerns that there isn’t enough promotion of the weekly event. All the stallholders encourage customers to come along on Wednesdays between 11 and 2, have a look around and enjoy their wares.