The Parramatta Farmers Market is stepping into a fresh new era with a revitalised offering including more stallholders, richer food offerings and expanded fresh produce from this Wednesday.
Running every Wednesday from 7.30am-2.30pm in Centenary Square, the market is reinventing the way people meet, eat, shop and connect in Parramatta’s CBD.
Shaped by community feedback, the refreshed market will feature a mix of long-standing favourites and new traders. Alongside Hill Lock Orchard, stallholders will include Gozleme King, Shaku’s Kitchen, Coconut Coffee and ULA Paua Shell jewellery with more expected to join as the market grows.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter said the evolution of the markets reflects the kind of city Parramatta is becoming.
“As Parramatta grows into a global City, people still want access to the simple things that make urban life great – strong community connections, local businesses and experiences close to home,” Zaiter said.
“That’s what our Parramatta Farmers Markets are all about and we’ve listened to community feedback to transform our offering to bring more variety across the stalls.
“The move reflects Council’s ambition to be a City that is globally connected but locally grounded, where community experiences sit alongside major infrastructure and growth.”
A mid-2025 Council survey of more than 600 people found 75 per cent of visitors wanted greater variety in stallholders, while 98 per cent supported additional markets across the Parramatta LGA – prompting a re-think of how and where markets are delivered.
With roots reaching back to 1812 and a strong identity as a local go–to since its formal launch in 2008, for long-time stallholders, the market remains a vital link between city and country.
Hill Lock Orchard owner Moe Hamdan, who has travelled from Young to trade at Parramatta Food Markets for more than 12 years, said the loyalty of Parramatta customers keeps him coming back.
“We’ve been travelling from Young, the Cherry Capital of Australia, to Parramatta Markets since 2014 and this year marks over 12 consecutive years of trading here,” Hamdan said.
“Hill Lock Orchard is a third-generation family orchard and coming to Parramatta has always been about more than just selling fruit – it’s about the people.
“People really value buying directly from the grower. Some of our customers have been with us since our very first day, and that connection makes the four-hour trip completely worth it.”
The weekly market builds on Parramatta’s long-term vision to be a globally connected City by 2050 – supporting small businesses, creating lively public spaces and strengthening connections between residents, producers and traders.
The Wednesday launch also sits alongside Parramatta’s broader markets program, including large seasonal markets with up to 50-60 stallholders culminating in a major Christmas market later this year.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.