Orange Grove Markets safe for now

After a tense week of uncertainty, it appears that the organic food stalls at the popular Orange Grove Markets are safe to continue trading. Reports in the Sunday papers of 19 June 2005 indicated that the booming 100-stall market contravened the original Development Application for 60 stalls only, and that the food stalls (whose leases expire at the end of June) would be forced to relocate to Marrickville.

Since Orange Grove Markets operates on the grounds of Orange Grove Public School, the Department of Education claims its concerns are for the health and safety of the public, the stall holders and local residents.

Whilst the Department of Education undertakes a review of the current situation, market organisers will be allowed to continue current trade until the end of this year at least.

I've been to Orange Grove a number of times (snapshot collage above) and the food stalls are definitely what maketh the market. Eumundi Smokehouse, Shepherds Bush Bakehouse, Honest to Goodness nuts, The Farmer's Wife, the Organic Food Network stalls and all the other tasty vendors are definitely the impetus that get me out of bed early on a Saturday morning.

Methinks the atmosphere at Orange Grove this Saturday will be reinvigorated and celebratory. Let's hope the sense of victory is not short-lived.

Click here for the full press release from Leichhardt Council.

Orange Grove Markets
Orange Grove Public School
Perry Street, Leichhardt

Every Saturday 8am-1pm