Growers make it easy for shoppers to understand fruit fly restrictions

The Grey Lynn Farmers Market, in cooperation with MPI field officers, has taken practical steps to ensure customers fully comply with the fruit fly restrictions currently in place for at least another two months.

Growers have divided produce into "Restricted" and "Non-Restricted" with clear signage and placed netting over restricted produce. Maps are located around the market so shoppers can identify whether they live in the zone. On Market Day MPI is providing bins for growers to dump unsold restricted produce.

"We want to ensure our customers find it easy to continue shopping and supporting their local not-for profit market. The restrictions can be confusing but we appreciate the need to fully comply with MPI's rules to avoid a potentially devastating Queensland Fruit Fly outbreak " Says Market Manager Louise Carr- Neil

"The majority of our artisan produce stalls are unaffected by the restrictions. Our local growers have happily put in place measures to guide customers on what can be taken out of the restricted zone"

"We've also put in place restrictions on what can be placed on the Community Trading table (for gardeners with excess produce run on an honesty box system)".

Regular customer Louise Pagonis who lives outside the restricted zone said "The clear signage made it easy to shop. I could see straight away what I could buy knew because of the way all the produce was laid out. I stocked up on most of the things I wanted and saw others doing the same.I will definitely be back next week because there is still so much choice"

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