The Hastings Farmers Market and the Napier Urban Market will demerge from Food Hawke's Bay (FHB).
A joint statement from Food Hawke's Bay Inc and Hawke's Bay Farmers Market Inc said a "very real passion and determination to take charge of their own destiny" was shown at a special general meeting on Monday to decide the matter. Stallholders called for the meeting wanting a more direct say in the market's governorship and doubting the value they received from fees paid to FHB.
The Farmers Market operates on Sundays at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds and on Saturdays at the Napier Urban Food Market. "The Napier and Hastings Farmers Market stallholders have demonstrated very real passion and determination to take charge of their own destiny but have also given a clear signal that they wish to continue to work collaboratively with Food Hawkes Bay," the statement said.
"We will work together over the next few months to progressively make the necessary changes."
"From the customer perspective, it will be a smooth transition out of sight and very little will change in a practical sense."