It’s the market where bumping into someone you know is as likely as finding exactly what you are looking for.

Te Puke’s community market starts its 2025-26 summer season in Jubilee Park on Saturday.

The market is run by the Made in Te Puke Trust.

Spokeswoman Dale Snell said there are many reasons the trust organises the market.

“It’s a place where people meet and greet each other,” she said.

The market began a decade ago, but for three years during and after Covid, it didn’t happen, only returning last summer.

Snell said the market’s return was a result of demand from stallholders and shoppers.

“The whole kaupapa for the market is it’s a place where locals can make money without any expense attached to it; that’s why market fees are so low ($10 per stall).

“Also locals can buy fresh produce at a reasonable prices and so it’s about supporting people in the financial crisis that we are in.”

The market is a combination of artisan, farmers’ and flea markets.

“We’ve had an equal distribution of stallholders in those three categories and normally we have plenty of fresh produce, plants and things like chutney.

“And we have a great amount of artisan people who make the most beautiful hand-made products from knitting and jewellery and woodwork.”

The monthly market is run by volunteers. Fees go towards insurance, first aid kids and improving the market experience.

Any profits go back into the community.

Snell said while it is preferable for people to register, via the Te Puke Community Market Facebook page, they can just turn up and pay on the day.

They must go to Jubilee Park’s back gate, which opens from 7.30am, and be set up in time for the 9am start.

The market finishes around noon and stalls must be taken down and off the park by 1pm.

Food trucks and coffee carts are also welcome.

There will be a busker at tomorrow’s market and others are welcome at future markets, but must pre-register.

The market is held on a Saturday to reduce the chance of clashing with other markets in the area.

“That was feedback we got from stallholders because a lot of them do other markets like the one at Maketū.”

Snell is excited about the market restarting and said there has been a lot of good feedback in the lead-up to the first one of the season.

The markets will be held on the third Saturday of the month throughout the summer. For more information, call Dale on 027 462 8940 or email: tepukemarkets3119@gmail.com