SINGAPORE, June 30 (Bernama) -- From a distance, the rows of orange canopy looks just like any other community market.
However, the Central Singapore Market organised by the Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC) aimed to fulfil its “A Market with a Difference” tagline.
Held recently in Zhongshan Park, the inaugural Central Singapore Market this year encourages healthy lifestyle, sustainable living and inclusivity while supporting small businesses.
There were 20 vendors with products ranging from fresh locally grown vegetables, all-natural yoghurt popsicles, potted plants, handmade soaps, as well as upcycled lifestyle products.
In one corner, The Helping Hand, a halfway house that works with Singapore Prison Service to give a second chance to ex-offenders who wish to transform their lives, sells fresh vegetables farmed by their residents.
“We are a social enterprise. The goal is not about making profit, we try to break even and the money goes back to support the programmes,” its business and operations manager Trevor Wong told Bernama.
He said most importantly, the market gives opportunity for the ex-offenders to interact with the public, a very important step in rehabilitatng them back to society.
Meanwhile, two eco-workshops to create body scrubs and eco-enzymes were also well-received by the crowd regardless of age.
Audrey from Eco Rangers, an eco-friendly and sustainable platform that aims to promote environmental awareness and sustainability in the community, said the workshops used accesible items or food waste.
For example, the eco-enzymes that can be used for cleaning and as fertiliser for plants, only requires fruit peels or rotten fruits, brown sugar and water.
“It is not just about having activity for the market visitors, but also about educating them. All these are actually easy things that they can do from their own home,” she said.
The market area was also filled with bean bags and benches as visitors were entertained with performances by buskers with disabilities, a nod to the inclusivity or inclusion of persons with disabilities, pillar of the Central Singapore Market.
Central Singapore District Mayor Denise Phua said the council plans to organise at least one such market in different places across the Central District every month in the future. She hoped to bring in more products that are in line with its pillars -- healthy lifestyle, sustainable living and inclusivity.
For now, the market first introduced in 2019 is held once every two months after its re-introduction following a pause due to the COVID-19.
“We want to be very consistent with our pillars and purpose. So, products must be healthy or promote healthy living, more homemade and local, more sustainable products,” she said.
Phua said the council is also looking forward to include the elderly in their line-up of performers at these markets.
-- BERNAMA
