‘We have never missed a week’: Prize-winning food market celebrates 10th birthday
A prize-winning food market celebrated its 10th birthday last weekend.
The popular Crystal Palace Food Market in Haynes Lane, Crystal Palace, marked the impressive landmark on Saturday.
The market has become firmly embedded in the weekly shopping schedule of many residents having served the area for a decade.
To show its appreciation, the market invited the community to join the team to celebrate its tenth birthday with cake, music, and a few words from founders Karen Jones and Laura Marchant-Short.
Developed from the ground-up the community market has received many accolades including a top-three BBC Food and Farming Award and inclusion in the Transition movement’s submission to COP21.
Ms Marchant-Short said: “Being a New Zealander, I was brought up with a lot of ‘do it yourself’ determination, and I’m proud to say that in 10 years trading, we have never missed a week, and nor will we if I’ve got anything to do with it.
“As well as the pure grit of keeping going, I am especially proud of all of our teenage volunteers. Watching them flourish over the years is wonderful. We’re the proud aunties.”
On Saturday, the Crystal Palace market team cut the birthday cake and heard live music from the band Bennett Valuks. There were also activities for children and a guest appearance from the community celebrity, Carrot Man.
Ms Jones said: “The Transition Town principle of building local resilience means we support and mentor start-ups rather than bringing in stalls from other areas and many of these have now fully fledged into really successful businesses in their own right.”
Pictured top: The Crystal Palace market celebrating 10 years with the community (Picture: John Barrett)