That (yawn) isn't because it was boring, in fact very much the opposite. The scene above is the Harris Farm Markets buying room at the Flemington market, at 4.30am. We had just arrived, they'd been at it for some time and would go on working until midday (or later). Monday to Friday three staff start at 1.30 am, the rest begin at 4.00am.

With computer and phone, they're buying for 17 stores across NSW. The stock control is all online and they each have estimates of what the stores will require for the days ahead. The buyers know what stock is still in store, if a line is selling slowly or fast. Each of the stores is different in its needs and they get fresh produce each day.

David Harris (centre above) is buying the premium lines; he tells us that he's negotiated raspberries (that we see delivered later), he needs to have some strawberries checked and still has to get enough figs. There are phones ringing constantly, and staff get up from the work stations, check a delivery in the warehouse and return.