While supermarkets continue to sell out across the country, farmers’ markets are doing it tough. Since reopening six weeks ago, Carriageworks Farmers Markets in Eveleigh has seen a drop of around 40% in visitor numbers.

“It’s happening right across the board,” says Creative Director of the Carriageworks Farmers Market, Mike McEnearney.

Many local producers have suffered extensive losses due to the recent drought, bushfires, and now Covid, especially those who supply to local restaurants and cafes. Now they’re back with their fresh fruit and veg in tow, and the only problem is, there are fewer people around to buy it.

“Some of our stallholders are doing okay, some are not,” McEnearney said. “We had to close for a long period of time and it hurt a lot of people, it hurt our producers. They’ve got food in the ground which you can’t turn off. And during that time, a lot of people changed their shopping habits and went to other places instead.”

“We just want to remind people of just how important it is to support your local growers. At Carriageworks, you can have a real relationship with the people that grow your food, you can’t get that at a supermarket,” he said.

With spring in full swing and summer on its way, locals can expect some incredible new season produce on display, from asparagus to artichokes, rhubarb and peas, with just a few more weeks until the stonefruits roll in.

Safety remains a priority for the open-air market. All visitors are required to sanitise their hands on the way in and out, while numbers are carefully monitored by security to ensure overcrowding does not take place.

Tables and chairs were initially removed to prevent people lingering, but they’ve since been brought back so people can have brunch and a coffee, and enjoy their market experience again.

Carriageworks Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 8am – 1pm at 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh.