The 2018-2022 plan outlines Adelaide Central Market Authority’s vision to transform the market into “the world’s leading food and produce market” with a focus on sustainability and adaptability in the competitive food industry.

Initiatives outlined in the plan include increasing the number of pop-up stalls, adjusting trading hours and encouraging traders to improve their connections with Gouger and Grote streets, including “extending their offering” on to the streetfront.

The plan also outlines increased retail assistance for vendors, including the appointment of a visual merchandiser, social media training and retail workshops.

Adelaide Central Market Authority (ACMA), a subsidiary of the Adelaide City Council, will present their plan to councillors for feedback at tonight’s council meeting.

It follows the completion of ACMA’s largest ever stakeholder engagement process, which was used to develop the new strategy.

ACMA General Manager Aaron Brumby said the plan focuses on building on the Central Market’s current status as one of the top 10 produce markets in the world.

“We are at our core a produce market not a tourist market and that is what makes us special and sets us apart,” he said.

“Tourists like to shop and eat where the locals shop and eat so produce is what we will be focussing on in the future.”

Brumby said the board would look at expanding the current “Producer in Residence” program, launched 18 months ago, as part of a plan to increase casual leasing and event opportunities.

The current program invites emerging local producers to set up temporary stalls at the market as part of a three-week long leasing program geared at encouraging South Australian start-ups to get a hold of the local market.

“The Producer in Residence program has been highly successful as an incubator for entrepreneurial producers here in South Australia,” Brumby said.

“One of our former Producers in Residence – Les Deux Coqs – is soon to be opening a stall in the market so they’re one of our great success stories and it would be great to see other producers do the same.”

Other vendor changes include introducing new regional produce stalls featuring products from areas including Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula and the Flinders Ranges.

“The Kangaroo Island stall has been highly successful and now we are talking with other districts to get them involved in the market,” Brumby said.

“Last year we had the Barossa Valley and that was a success so it would be great to have other regions come on board too.”

Brumby said the board was currently undertaking a “holistic review” of the market’s trading hours to better meet the changing needs of customers.

As part of the review, Brumby said administrators are considering opening the market on Sunday and extending evening trading hours on other nights besides Friday.

The Central Market is currently in the process of rolling out a new “E-Commerce” platform – expected to be fully available by early next month – featuring an online shopping platform, free wi-fi and a mobile app.

Capital works are still in progress, with scaffolding covering the Grote Street heritage tower expected to come down next week.

ACMA will present its 10-year capital works and funding plan to the Adelaide City Council next month.