What

• A locally produced fresh produce, beef, seafood, dried product, value add agricultural products, cakes, conserves, breads, deli goods and wine market.
• Local seasonality is the theme.

Why

• To provide local producers a market to promote and sell their products.
• To provide Cairns locals and tourists with quality fresh local food.
• To promote informed consumer choices, by providing market goers with resources that will encourage their daily use of locally produced seasonal produce.
• We are addressing food kilometres at the market to promote environmentally friendly local food supply.

Difference From Other Markets

• The products will be grown or manufactured in our region, Cardwell to Cooktown to Chillago, though exception can be made for producers just outside the boundary.
• All products will be labelled as to who they were produced by, how they were produced (e.g. organic, freshcare approved, where applicable) where they were grown / manufactured and distance travelled to the market (‘food kilometres') to show efficiency.

When

• The launch date for the inaugural market was Saturday the 18th of April 2009.
• The market operates weekly on a Saturday morning from 7:30am to 2:00pm

Where

• Numerous venues in Cairns where considered with a view to being centrally located, all weather, product care, conveniently accessed by both vendors and customers, and suitable for a variety of community oriented activities that will attract and entertain customers. The Pier at the Marina offered all of the requirements and more, and was selected for the market.

Who

• The Network for Sustainable and Diversified Agriculture is not for profit organization.
• The purpose of the network is to collectively coordinate, promote and advocate activities and information that will assist in the implementation of the principles of sustainable and diversified agriculture, to benefit the economic, environmental and social development of North Queensland.
• The NSDA hired a market coordinator, Imeea Svanosio. Imeea from Mareeba grew up on a tropical fruit farm and has worked in the food production industry for many years. Now Cathie Brett is the Farmgate Campaigner to increase stallholder numbers in the market.

How

• The NSDA has received funding from the State Government's Blueprint for the Bush program for the purpose of establishing a local food market in Cairns.
• The NSDA is currently seeking interested parties to volunteer assistance or invest in this community driven project.

Anyone who wishes to be involved, either as a supplier, stakeholder or volunteer, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it