'Foodie' split proves to be a win-win

Hawke's Bay Farmers Market was extremely busy over the holiday period. Photo / File

The split of Food Hawke's Bay (FHB) from the Hawke's Bay Farmers Market has been a win for both organisations, says FHB chairman Phil Pollett.

He said the October split from FHB, which had provided governorship to a stallholders' committee, had resulted in a better market.

"It is sad that we have parted but I think we are both better off," he said.

The market had been "a huge distraction" and, without it, FHB had an an "exciting opportunity" to focus more on growing food businesses. It has a strategy meeting today.

Any loss of income, from stallholders not renewing their FHB subscription, would be offset by FHB decreased costs, he said.

"The compulsory income from the Farmers' Market members was well spent on the Farmers' Market."

A December survey of market stallholders indicated many would remain members of FHB provided it was more active "in helping businesses grow".

In 2013, Food Hawke's Bay and economic development agency Business Hawke's Bay (BHB) agreed to share management of food-sector growth.

Food Hawke's Bay agreed to provide one-on-one assistance for new entrants into small food businesses. As businesses grow out of this stage, they would be passed to Business Hawke's Bay for support.

Business Hawke's Bay works with medium and larger-sized businesses to advise and direct for funding grants, capability gaps and service providers within the region.

Both share governance and ownership of the Hawke's Bay Food Sector Strategy, developed after consultation with The Icehouse and stakeholders.

Farmers Market chairman Mark Verry said the holiday period was extremely busy.

There was "a really good mix" of tourists and locals, but locals were the focus of a strategic plan developed with BHB and subsidised by Hastings District Council.

"The committee in the next six months or so is going to work through some of those goals and actions to achieve our main goal, which is to increase our importance to locals.

"Tourists are the cherry on top - the real heart and soul of the market is to about offering the best quality offerings to locals. That is our only focus - we do little advertising for tourists.

"Increasing our importance to locals makes us a tourist attraction."

The strategic plan was written by stallholders at a planning day.

With 70 members there were varied views but brainstorming narrowed down what was important to stallholders, he said.

While the market has split with FHB, the two organisations still work together on projects such as the Locavore's Lunch, a F.A.W.C! event where chefs cook only market-sourced food.

"We create the ambience and they create the event," Mr Verry said.

He said many stallholders were considering remaining with FHB.

"I don't know if they will lose all of us - there are certainly some of us that are considering staying and some who will definitely stay."