Tasmanian Produce Market: New market to hit Bellerive Boardwalk in October

The Eastern Shore is soon to be home to a new market boasting fresh Tasmanian produce.

• Hobart Twilight Market joins the ever-growing list of cancelled Tasmania events
• Stallholders almost ready for first Hobart Twilight Market

HOBART’S foodies will soon have a new destination to pick up their fresh Tassie produce.

The organisers behind the beloved Hobart Twilight Markets have created a new offering — the Tasmanian Produce Market.

Set to be held at the Bellerive Boardwalk on Saturdays between 9am and 1pm, operations manager Justin Davies said the market will have a focus on Tassie produce and supporting the state’s suppliers and stallholders.

Stallholder and owner of Ponsonby Tasmania, Holly Rowlands, and operations manager of the Hobart Twilight Market, Justin Davies ahead of the start of the Tasmanian Produce Market at Bellerive in October. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

However it will also feature some aspects of the Twilight Markets such as being dog friendly, seating, live music, and an opportunity for local designers to showcase their wares.

“Markets make up the social fabric of Tasmania and with a push to support more local businesses because of adjustments everybody has had to make with the COVID-19 pandemic, the timing couldn’t be better,” Mr Davies said.

The expansion had been in the works for about two years, but when the pandemic hit organisers were able to focus on bringing the project to life.

“COVID has been bad but also good at the same time, because it’s provided us an opportunity to progress further on this market. There’s been an amplification since people are pushing to support Tassie produce,” Mr Davies said.

A number of locations were considered for the market, including Sandy Bay’s Grace St car park, but Mr Davies said the Bellerive Boardwalk area would be full of growth and potential.

Organisers said there will be some initial challenges operating within the current COVID-19 environment, but they remained hopeful that public gathering limitations would increase over coming months.

The Tasmanian Produce Market is set to begin on October 3.

The Hobart Twilight Market will return at Long Beach on October 2, and Brooke Street Pier on October 30.

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