Market expansion creates 40 jobs

Cars lined Vittoria Road in both directions when the Bunbury Farmers Market opened the doors to its Glen Iris premises last week.

The retail floor was a buzz of energy as eager shoppers got their first look at the premise’s expanded range of produce, with the 165 bay carpark almost full at every moment.

General manager Leith Johnston said the relocation was six years in the planning and there was almost triple the retail space.

“With the new premises, in addition to our quality fruit and veg range, we have increased our meat range. We have added some frozen lines in as well as local seafood, a demonstration chef ’s kitchen area, a takeaway coffee shop, a juice bar, a bakery and a florist,” he said.

“This is a purpose-built facility for serving fresh produce, whereas our old site was an amalgamation of different buildings we had grown into over time.”

Mr Johnston said relocation had positive effects for the region’s growers, shoppers and the general public.

It has created more jobs, we have put on an extra 30 to 40 staff in the last two weeks,” he said.

“The proof will be in the pudding with what happens in our turnover but our productivity is definitely increasing and it has made it a lot easier to operate at our new site.”