Australia’s first “socially responsible” bazaar to open in Surfers Paradise

THERE’S a new food scene coming to the Gold Coast — and it’s a little different to your traditional sites. Think food trucks. Lots of food trucks.

THE Gold Coast Beach Bazaar hasn’t even started yet, but already it promises to bring a “local feel” back to the area.

The event, opening this weekend, promises to be Australia’s first “socially responsible” food truck park by giving back to the community instead.

Organiser Sammy Jo Stenberg from QLD Food Bank is excited to share her latest project with people like Matt McCulloch and snowboarder Jayce Hollands. Photo by Richard Gosling

Organiser Sammy Jo Stenberg of QLD Food Bank said the bazaar is completely not-for-profit, brought about by a need for a family environment in Surfers Paradise.

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“The main reason why we’re doing it is the vendors pay a site fee, and that site fee goes to our community fund,” she said.

The event is hosted by the Gold Coast Snow Park in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Jerad Williams

“That’s going to be paying for scholarships so we can work with employment agencies who do mentoring with youth in the Gold Coast.

“It will hopefully get them barista tickets, certificates in tourism, certificates in tourism and marketing as well as hospitality.”

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Though their first weekend hasn’t even begun they’re already proving popular according to Ms Stenberg, with business applications already booked up until December.

“We’re trying to keep the cost factor really low and just build a bit of a community, we feel we’ve really lost that community feel around the main attraction areas,” she said.

“The plan is to work with the Gold Coast Council … and then we can hopefully once a month do farm to fork markets, that way we can showcase local producers also.”

The Gold Coast Beach Bazaar starts this Friday at 4pm and runs until 6pm on Sunday.

Visit gcbeachbazaar.com for more information.