In the wake of the earthquake in Christchurch, the emerge
nce of traditional farmers’ markets has been touted as one way to keep trade going in the city.
Farmers’ markets in Dean’s Bush and Lyttleton will be operating as normal on the weekend, supported by a “pop up” market organised for residents in the Sumner, Redcliffs and nearby suburban areas.
The national market body, Farmers Markets New Zealand, has pledged to help with costs for supplies like coffee and milk for those operating in the city.
Pop up market co-ordinator Tom Davies says the idea was to provide locals with a chance to gather and trade.
"Its more than people making money, it’s about community and providing goods and services.
"One of the things that was really nice was the groups of people hugging, kissing, crying, talking...actually coming out of their homes.
"We had one woman who had young children who hadn’t left her home in ten days because she was too frightened to come out.
"We were actually starting to see people coming out and the community coming together again."
Mr Davies says everyone he’s spoken to has supported the idea 100%, and he’s keen to keep the market going as long as possible.
"I’m a humble teacher and i just put this together almost on the back of an envelope last Wednesday and all of a sudden it exploded - to the extent that we had thousands of people come.
"The traders did exceptionally well and everybody at the end of it, public and traders, all said this has got to continue, we have to keep going."
Market organisers say the temporary sites will stay up and running at least until supermarkets are able to reopen in the area.
