FYSHWICK markets

It all started when…

Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets were Canberra’s first farmers market, beginning when farmers, many of them Italian and Greek immigrants, would gather to “circle the wagons” each Friday to sell their produce off the back of trucks.

By a 1967 Act of Federal Government, the Markets were permanently established with building beginning at the same site in 1967.

The first major redevelopment of the Markets commenced in 2008 and was completed in 2013. The new building structure offers customers an ease of shopping experience and provides facilities for stallholders to ensure that all their produce reaches shoppers in optimum condition.

In 2018 the second major redevelopment occurred with a new section of the Markets being opened, the Niche Markets. This new wing of retail space turned the Markets from a food-focused hub to also offering gifts, homewares, clothing, flowers and more.

COMMUNITY

By shopping at the Markets you support the local community, with all the shops owned and staffed by Canberrans.

The stallholders also source produce from the local region with the fruit shops having exclusive relationships with local farmers and Plonk specialising in local wines sourced directly from local and regional winemakers.

Since their inception, the Markets as a whole, as well as individual stallholders, have made significant contributions to the local community in the form of donations and sponsorship of charities and community organisations and schools.

In addition, every Sunday when the Markets close, many of the stalls donate any excess products to local charities, limiting wastage and environmental impacts. The Markets also have a permanent retail space where a charitable organisation run a store.

ENVIRONMENT

The continual development of the Markets has meant even more efficient processes when it comes to our environmental policy.

By having a number of fruit and vegetable purveyors in one place food miles and wastage is minimised, while transport efficiency is maximised, as trucks can carry full loads out of the Sydney Markets.

Rainwater is also collected in a 175,000-litre tank, with each stallholder having access to a tap in their store to access the rainwater, as well as its use in all toilets and bathrooms.

In addition, 500 solar panels have been installed across two stores at the Markets, Wiffens Premium Greengrocers and Deli Planet. The panels reduce the Markets carbon footprint by approximately 180 tonnes per year.

Each store also has its own food wastage management system, with local farmers and charities collecting food waste.