Have you ever wondered where the carrots you were eating were grown? Or have you simply thought it would be great to support local growers? A community market has sprouted up in Henderson’s town centre, bringing fresh, local, affordable kai after the neighbourhood’s primary supermarket closed late last year.
The first market day in February lured the crowds, with vendors selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to homemade soaps and deodorants.
Te Puna Market was brought to life by a collaboration of organisations, Kai West, after the neighbourhood’s primary supermarket closed earlier this year. Healthy Families Waitākere Systems Innovator, Michele Eickstaedt, explains.
“Through insights gathered from local community members, we realised the closure of the neighbourhood’s primary supermarket was going to impact community’s ability to access fresh, healthy food. Te Puna Market is helping to fill this gap, not only offering a place to purchase and sell fresh produce such as vegetables, meat, milk and fruit, but a place for community to come together, get to know one another and connect.”
Te Puna Market champions the best of the West Auckland region and allows local producers an opportunity to offer goods and wares directly to community. It also provides a forum for educating the community about supporting and enjoying locally grown and produced food.
Waitākere Ward Councilors, Linda Cooper and Shane Henderson were thrilled to see the market showing early success for community.
“Helping locals who were regular users of PAK’nSAVE get access to locally sourced food makes sense”, says Councillor Cooper. “I was there for the first Te Puna Market and could tell that it was something that will be greatly appreciated by the community.”
“It makes our town centre that little bit more exciting”, says Councillor Henderson. “Near a beautiful park, the swimming pool and the historic Falls Hotel, this will form part of a brilliant family day out in Henderson. Why not take the Twin Streams path on foot or by bicycle and enjoy this fabulous new market.”
The market supports community groups to sell their goods and wares, offering stall space for a small fee alongside community groups and schools fundraising initiatives provided space free of charge.
Te Puna Market is on from 7.30am until 1pm every Saturday morning in the Falls car park (16 Edmonton Road, Henderson) from now until mid-May. Check out the Facebook event listing to find out more.