The opening day of the ‘Food and Garage Sale’ yesterday organised by the Murienua community proved a major hit with more produce and delicacies expected today and tomorrow.

The Murienua mamas lined the roadside in Rutaki yesterday selling plants, second hand clothes, fresh nu, and home cooked meals to passersby.

Each stall was decorated with flowers and kikau with a truck trailing up and down the road stretch providing music to attract customers.

Sellers will continue selling their produces today and tomorrow as part of a three day ‘Food and Garage Sale’ organised by the Murienua community.

Michelle Finn was one of the vendors present yesterday, stationed at a breezy spot by the road where she sold homemade ika mata, sashimi and plates of food with her three daughters and her daughter in law.

A large spread of pre-loved clothing was also laid out for customers to browse after they had sorted out their lunch.

Finn encouraged the public to come by and visit ‘Michelle’s Cafe’ today and tomorrow, as they will continue to have on sale fresh produce and lunch options.

Michelle Finn from ‘Michelle’s Cafe,’ with her freshly made ika mata and sashimi. 21100604

Tirata Farman was another vendor stationed just a little down the road from ‘Michelle’s Cafe.’

Yesterday Farman brought with her a truckload of different plants she had grown herself, and was surprised to see most of what she brought sold out before 10am. She shared how this was her first time coming forward to put her plants on sale, and that she had not done this since she was a child who would follow her mother to town on a Saturday morning to sell.

Being glad to have made a successful start to something new, Farman said she would be at her little stall again today and tomorrow as there were a few mamas who wanted to come back and buy more plants off her.

“It’s amazing what the community has done to organise this. I just thought why not come along,” she said.

As well as her plants, Farman said she was considering bringing some tivaivai or some cooking to sell for the remaining two days of the market.

Helping hand

Moira Tataio who helped her mother and aunty with their fresh produce stall yesterday – 21100605

Moira Tataio was busy being her mother’s helper at their fresh produce stall yesterday for the Murienua Market day.

Tataio was given the task to keep watch for any roadside customers who stopped by their stall which was stocked with fresh pawpaw, nu, pumpkins, bananas, as well as a wide range of fresh greens.

At the sight of a potential customer, she would call out to her mother and aunty and then proceed to farewell the customers with a friendly goodbye once they had been served with a few bags full of fresh fruits and veggies.

Tataio and her family will be one of the many family run stalls lining the roadside of the Murienua Puna today and tomorrow.

First time seller and plant lover Tirata Farman. 21100607

Many members of the Murienua community came out to help the mamas at their roadside stalls. 21100608

Moeroa Arona and her two children who sold over 20 plants as well as fresh nu and coconut oil. 21100606