Grey Lynn Farmers Market: Getting Started

The Grey Lynn Farmers Market (GLFM) sprouted from a vision shared at the inaugural Grey Lynn 2030 meeting in October 2008. Vinnie Dickie, fueled by a passion for community and vibrant markets, provided the initial spark and drive.

“Returning home to New Zealand after years of globetrotting, I yearned to share those experiences locally,” recalls Vinnie Dickie. “At the Grey Lynn 2030 meeting, I impulsively volunteered to establish a farmers market, despite having no idea what it would entail. I understood firsthand the power of markets to cultivate community connections and offer rich cultural experiences. Being part of Grey Lynn 2030 and laster the GLFM became my pathway to forging new friendships and deepening existing ones. Grey Lynn 2030 had people at that time with wide and useful experience. We started as a focus group as was the Transtion Town model.

Vinnie was contracted by the first GLFM committee, and the community rallied, donating time, money, and resources to bring the market to life. The initial $8,000 required to launch the market was raised through the generous pledges of over 300 individuals, each contributing between $20 and $1,000. Further funds, $3,500, were generated by juicing and selling fifteen banana boxes of locally sourced citrus fruit at the 2008 Grey Lynn Park Festival. The market’s establishment was solidified by the unwavering support of the community, local businesses, and the Waitematā Local Board.

The market’s grand opening on Sunday, September 6th, 2009, was met with an overwhelming response. Over a thousand eager shoppers arrived, necessitating a staggered entry system to manage the crowds. From its inception, the GLFM management committee prioritized professional management, employing a part-time market manager and, since 2011, a market assistant.

Maintaining the GLFM’s authenticity as a genuine farmers market is paramount. This means prioritizing producer-direct stalls, focusing on food and grocery items (excluding non-food products), and ensuring all produce is sourced within a two-hour drive. This commitment, while crucial to the market’s identity, sometimes requires turning away potential stallholders, even when income is needed.

The heart of the market lies in its stallholders – passionate individuals who grow, raise, harvest, and bake. They offer a diverse array of delicious and nutritious products, including free-range eggs, local honey, kombucha, nut milk, fresh juices, specialty cheeses, artisan olive oil, meat, fish, homemade pies, sourdough bread, pastries, and certified organic produce. Four key stallholders played pivotal roles in the market’s early days: Local Honey with Lynn Green, George’s Gardens with George Vezich (retired in March 2015), Fresh Gardens with Sally Yu and Hunter Xian, and Heirloom Organic Seedlings with Rob Velseboer and Murray Joyce.

The early committee quickly learned that a successful farmers market requires a delicate balance: understanding what stalls thrive, what products sell, and cultivating an atmosphere that keeps customers returning. Each Sunday, the Grey Lynn Community Centre transforms into a vibrant hub, where locals stock up on fresh produce, sample delicacies, enjoy live music, and connect with their community.

Navigating Challenges, Building Resilience

The GLFM faced its share of challenges. At one point, dwindling stallholder numbers and customer turnout threatened its closure. The market’s indoor location proved to be a significant obstacle, as passersby were unaware of its presence. Strategic placement of outdoor stalls and eye-catching blackboards revitalized the market’s visibility and attracted a surge in customers.

Initially, the Kraftbomb Market’s monthly residency at the Community Centre disrupted the GLFM’s consistency, leading to customer confusion and lost sales. Recognizing the importance of a reliable weekly market, the GLFM temporarily relocated to the carpark outside the then Community Law Centre, operating under gazebos. Eventually, the market found its permanent home back at the Community Centre.

The GLFM is a community-owned and operated incorporated society, with “Friends of the Market” providing crucial support during challenging times. One of the most significant trials was the 2015 Queensland fruit fly outbreak. Strict restrictions on plant movement hampered customer access and threatened stallholder viability. Through the unwavering dedication of volunteers, the market persevered, finding innovative solutions to ensure continued access to fresh produce.

Over the years, the GLFM has expanded its presence, featuring prominently in local street festivals along Richmond Road and Surrey Crescent. The market’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its waste minimization efforts, encouraging stallholders to use minimal and compostable packaging. Ethical food and zero waste practices are fundamental to the GLFM’s identity.

A Thriving Community Hub

Today, the GLFM is a bustling community hub, a far cry from its struggling early days. Customers eagerly line up before opening, eager to secure the freshest produce. The market boasts popular stalls, live music, and a constant influx of new vendors.

The GLFM fulfills its founders’ vision: serving as a vital community asset, fostering local shopping, and connecting consumers with producers. It also acts as a business incubator, empowering aspiring food entrepreneurs. Regular customers plan their weekends around the market, valuing the direct interaction with those who grow and produce their food.

The market provides a community trading table for home gardeners and features volunteers from Sanctuary Gardens and Kelmarna Community Farm.

The GLFM has hosted numerous events and workshops, including storytelling, gardening tips, cooking lessons, fermentation workshops, bread making, sustainability and permaculture workshops, cycle repair, pop-up shops, market birthdays, special Christmas markets, and business incubator seminars.

Since its inception in 2009, the GLFM has grown and evolved, solidifying its position as a cherished and enduring part of the Grey Lynn community.

Market Managers:

• 2009: Vincent Dickie
• 2009: Paul Dalton
• 2010: Judith Whiting
• 2010: Monica Stoinescu
• 2011: Charlotte Gordon
• 2013: Sarah James
• 2013: Louise Carr-Neil
• 2015: Frances Haszard
• 2016: Dave Watson
• 2017-Present: Carol Gunn
• 2011-2018: Callum McAlpine