A (yawn) visit to the Sydney Produce Market-2005

Harris Farm Markets buy from the dealers in the main market area (if you're a regular public visitor to the market you will buy from the Growers Market area nearby). By contrast, the major supermarket chains are not represented at the markets and do their buying over the web, direct from the major growers or on contract from the smaller ones. They don't see the produce until it arrives at their depot and are looking for consistency in price and size. Harris Farm Markets have different pressures and some more flexibility in being able to offer different price grades. They still check each pallet of fruit and vegetables offered and select from the best or cheapest for that day.

It was a busy space and we were watched carefully to see if we were going to do something silly. The main warehouse area is a dangerous place, as forklifts cross the floor bringing in cartons from outside suppliers, while staff are using them to pack trucks. Even in our luminous orange safety jackets, we negotiated the space carefully by skirting the edges, one eye always over the shoulder.

Traditionally Saturday and Sunday used to be the biggest days, with up to eight trucks doing deliveries. There's been a shift and growth in demand for Friday, now forty truck loads are needed to supply the demand.