5 January 2016

Media release for immediate use

New Summer Hours for Kaikohe Market

The Kaikohekohe Food Co-op and Market kicks off its summer trading at the new times of 5:00pm to 7:30pm on Thursday 19th January at the Library Square.

The summer market begins with a range of fresh local produce including vegetables, pickles, free range eggs, duck eggs, rewana bread, cakes, chop suey, Island doughnuts, organic coconut oil, Hokianga honey and other products. Other stalls include plants, sun glasses, arts and crafts and more to be added as the year progresses.

Live music is one of the features of the market. Resident musician Monte Tito is the staple but others are booking in now.

Co-director Mike Shaw says “Although we are hidden away a bit down in the square it has the advantage of the toilets, playground and places to sit and relax.” One of the goals of the market organisers is to reclaim the square as a community gathering place. Some of the local retailers on the main street noticed during the winter, the market’s presence was good for their businesses attracting a few more customers for them. Now that the warmer evenings are here more stalls will open and the market will get bigger and better. “Northland College, Kaikohe Business Association and the Community Board have put a lot of effort into reviving that area and we want to continue enhancing work they have done.”

“The musical atmosphere and the range of hot food on the night enables you to come out for tea and relax as perfect family get together” says co-director Jessica Tuckerman. Jessica works at the library and sees the community space being revived. Jessica can be contacted at the library for stall bookings.

Studies have shown that local markets make a significant positive economic and social impact on communities. “This is why we are doing it” says Mike Shaw “although it is only a small beginning, our long term goal is to develop a cooperative model of doing local business that benefits everyone and doesn’t take the profits out of the community.”

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