The Hill Street Farmers' Market opened in Febraury 2010 and is administered by the Thorndon Farmers' Market Trust, a not-for-profit organisation run largely by volunteers.
The market arose from a desire by local residents to not only have access to fresh, quality local food, but to create a vibrant, thriving, community meeting point in the city suburb of Thorndon. The hard work and dedication of many has made this a reality.
It's all about being local! The Thorndon Farmers' Market Trust believes that fresh, quality local food should be easily available to Wellingtonians. We believe in the importance of raising awareness about food production, nutrition and sustainability. We support regional food producers, small businesses and not-for-profit groups, with the aim of strengthening the community.
The Hill Street Farmers' Market is committed to minimising our environmental impact and aim to have 80% of our stallholders selling products grown or produced within a 350km radius of the market, helping to reduce transport requirements. Hill Street Farners' Market asks stallholders to use alternatives to plastic bags and encourages customers to bring their own reuseable bags. In addition, we provide recycling facilities onsite, are located within walking distance of several suburbs and are easily accessible by public transport.
Lynette Vigrass has had a lifelong interest in the politics of food and the importance of supporting local growers and farmers. She is a vegetarian and a passionate campaigner for animal welfare and organic agriculture. She has worked as a music teacher for many years and her main hobbies are gardening and choral singing.
Jo Freeman is a mother of 2 (plus a stepson), a commercial lawyer and has lived in Thorndon for the past 9 years with her husband Mark. She has been involved in numerous community activities and organisations and is passionate about Thorndon, building communities, good food and education and hopes to bring all these elements together in the Hill Street Farmers' Market.
Janet Lymburn has an extensive background in the food indstry, including experience with the Barossa Farmers' Market in South Australia. She is currently working with the New Zealand Food Safety Authority as a policy analyst. Janet has a passion for food and an understanding of small food businesses, food tourism and the benefits of farmers' markets.
Hannah Grainer has lived in Wellington since 1985, currently in Kelburn, with her husband Cameron and daughter Sophie. She is a lawyer, who has practiced for almost 10 years. Hannah's childhood instilled in her an enjoyment of gardening and nurturing through hearty and healthy food and she is keen to see this preserved and developed within the inner-city communities.
Catherine Miller lives in Wadestown with her husband and two children. She has worked as a legal editor in Wellington, Sydney and London and has been a volunteer with several community groups. Catherine has found the experience of visiting local markets to be one of the highlights of travelling and is excited about the opportunity to help bring a market to Thorndon.
Christine Pullar is the treasurer of the Thorndon Farmers Market Trust and a stallholder with her husband Michael, of Michael’s Kitchen. She is also a director for other small companies operating cooperative business models. Christine is a consultant in the ICT sector and a member of NZICA although not a practicing accountant.
The Thorndon Farmers' Market Trust is extremely grateful for the support it receives for its sponsors and friends.
As a not-for-profit, largely volunteer run organisation, the Trust and the Hill Street Farmers' Market relies on this support to assist with the purchase of necessary equipment, such as tents/canopies and to ensure that the market continues to run smoothly.
Please support those businesses and organisations who support us:
Urban Harvest
Doubleclique Limited
Wellington City Council
Ocean Design
Bean Smart Limited
If you're interested in sponsoring the Thorndon Farmers' Market Trust and Hill Street Farmers' Market, in a large or small way, please contact us - we would love to hear from you!
We are always keen to hear from people who would like to volunteer their time to help with the market too, whether on the weekly Market Information Stall or through offering their time, expertise or resources in another way. Please contact us to find out more.
The Hill Street Farmers' Market is proud to support its community and provide opportunuties for fundraising by other not-for-profit groups. Click here to find out more.
We are working to design an "Adopt a Producer" programme which connects primary school children (years 1-4) with local producers. The purpose of this is to introduce local food, educate children about where food comes from and encourage consumption of fruit, vegetables and other healthy food. The programme will involve partner producer visits to the school with hands on activities for children to participate (e.g kneading bread, planting a garden), a visit from a local chef to show children how to make healthy lunches or snacks using local foods, visits to producer farms, orchards or kitchens, regular email or letter contact with producers, visits to the Producers at the Hill Street farmers' Market and support for and advice about edible gardens at schools. Contact us to find out more.