Debra van Leeuwerden — 
October 21st, start date for
a Dargaville produce market

October 21st this year, will see the launch of Dargaville’s new Produce Market, which will operate from Ad Focus’s car park between 3 and 7pm on Thursday afternoons. Although the idea of a similar market has been mooted several times, this is the first time something concrete has been put in place.

“We had been visiting Anthony’s sister who is involved with a Farmer’s Market in Tauranga,” said Debra van Leeuwerden, who owns AD Focus with husband, Anthony. “She kept saying to us that this place would be ideal — why don’t we do something.

“When we came back from that trip, which was roughly a year ago, I read in the paper that someone else was doing a market. We told them that we have the land if they want to use it, but apart from a flyer, nothing happened.

“We went back to Anthony’s sister recently and she said, ‘Are you going to do it?’ So I came back, contacted Darlene Lang and Chris Donahoe and said, ‘Let’s do this. If you aren’t going to do it, then I’ll do it.’

“Now, together with Ian Guthrie from Greenways Trust, we’re all on board together. We’ve had several meetings and decided we’re just going to do it.”

Currently, there are eleven confirmed stall holders for the first Produce Market and Debra says they want at least nine more before October.

Free-range eggs, vegetables and products from the Long Flat Bacon Company are just some of the things that will be on offer.

“There will be a fifteen dollar site fee, some of which will go back into marketing and running costs. Our aim is to have eighty per cent fresh produce and twenty per cent other items, but we don’t want it to be a car boot sale. There will be rules and regulations and at the end of the day the public will dictate what sells.”

“I think that one question people will ask us, is why it’s on a Thursday — not the weekend. Simply, we can’t compete with the markets that are already established.”

Debra adds that the Kai Kart will be serving food during the market and they also want to start a buskers’ list so that musicians can be rotated weekly. Enquiries are welcome.