By Parker McKenzie
Tecoma’s Twilight Ethical Market will return on Sunday 20 November after last being held in 2019, in a celebration of sustainability and ethically sourced goods.
Featuring market stalls, local food vendors and live performances, the market aims to be waste free with food served in compostable bowls and a focus on ethically sourced materials.
Coordinator Shakti MacLaren said the festive season is often a time of large amounts of waste.
“If you look at sustainability seriously, then you have to think about what you’re buying, where you’re buying and who you’re supporting,” she said.
“Last time, it was incredibly successful with hundreds of people coming through the market.”
The market is an initiative by the Tecoma Uniting Church, with the proceeds going towards Foothills Community Care, a Dandenong Ranges not-for-profit that provides free meals to the public. All the traders at the market are expected to be focused on fair trade, upcycling, eco-friendliness or sustainability, community empowerment, and local or First Nations.
Tecoma Uniting Church Minister Matt Cutler said when the market was held in person in 2019, only a “single small curbside bin of landfill” was produced as waste.
“We liked the idea of promoting a very values-driven market,” he said.
“You have zero concept of how many people will attend. The main thing is it’ll be giving some oxygen to the stallholders because that’s what we’re really about, we’d love it to be a great day.”
Ms MacLaren said during Covid-19 the market was held online due to restrictions, but the time was right to bring the event back in person.
“There will be lots of activities for children like Garland making, playdough, face painting and a number of children’s stalls being manned by teenagers,” she said.
“One of the young people who came to our first market now has her own online business, it’s just lovely to see a little local start-up for young people.”
Held at the Church grounds at 1566 Burwood Highway from 4pm to 8pm, with over 40 stall holders expected at the market alongside local artists and the Vokallista choir.
For more information, visit tecomatwilight.com/about
