Fruit handout mars markets
A ROGUE trader at yesterday's Yamba Farmers Market created a headache for market operator Jeremy Challacombe, disrupting shoppers and stallholders.
According to stallholder Gina Starr, the man set up outside the market near the entrance, handing out free mandarins and "bad-mouthing" the market organiser to everyone who came in.
"He made it uncomfort- able for everyone; it was really distressing for the stallholders. I just don't understand the whole situ- ation," she said.
The man, who is well known in the area, was not available for comment and his motivation unknown.
Mr Challacombe said he believed the man was trying to undermine the market after being told he didn't fit the criteria some time ago.
"The bottom line is: it's a farmers' market," Mr Challacombe said, adding prospective stallholders were given a copy of the market policy and were required to meet all the criteria before being accepted.
"It's a great market; we don't need that sort of thing. I made it quite clear, he won't be coming back."
Clarence Valley Council's manager of assets George Kriflik said he was aware of the situation after receiving a call from Mr Challacombe early yesterday and had sent a staff member to have a talk with the man.
"Jeremy Challacombe is licensed to run that market and under NSW common law he is entitled to exclude people; it's his business." .
