Maitland mayor Peter Blackmore has warned the fresh produce market flagged for The Levee must not step on the toes of major supermarkets.
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Consumer support for the fruit and vegetable market, where farmers will sell direct to shoppers, has skyrocketed after thousands flocked to the new-look mall last month and bought 20 tonnes of pumpkins to support two Morpeth farmers.
The farmers were going to plough the 40 tonne crop into the earth because they would only make 20 to 25 cents per pumpkin at the Sydney markets.
While Cr Blackmore supported the impromptu stall because of the circumstances, he said the impact of a regular market on supermarkets, the wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Newcastle and other farmers markets in the region was a key issue that must be considered.
“It must not affect the likes of our supermarkets, we must remember that the supermarkets employ local people,” he said. “I think inquiries have to be made regarding the fruit and vegetable facility in Sandgate – is there a requirement that farmers must sell all of their produce to them?”
Slow Food Hunter Valley leader Amorelle Dempster, who is leading the charge to start the market, said a farmers market could never compete with a supermarket.
“A farmers market could never supply the needs of Maitland’s population,” she said. “It’s a way for people to connect with the farmer and pay the farmer a fair price for seasonal produce.
“Farmers will be able to sell slightly misshaped produce that the wholesale markets and supermarkets won’t take because it’s not perfect.”
Former Maitland councillor Ray Fairweather has also hit back at Cr Blackmore’s comments, saying the market would have positive flow on effects in the city.
“Don’t worry about the multibillion dollar supermarkets, they will survive a few local farmers trying to make a dollar,” he said.
“Did we not read where the supermarkets were paying a lousy 25 cents to the farmers for their pumpkins?”
