In 2012 there was this new thing happening at the newly built Diyatha Uyana,Battaramulla. Located just next to a posh Hotel/Country Club in Colombo, everyone was quite curious as to what exactly is going on here. Usually in Sri Lanka the farmers’ market happens on Sundays. This is the practice all over the country and it has sort of become Sri Lankan life style to go on Sunday marketing. So on a busy Thursday, what on earth was this “market” happening at such up-class location?
It all started when Amanda Keissel & Achala Samaradivakara Maddumage were working at the Seva Lanka Foundation. Working alongside with Sri Lankan farmers they realized that, there are many farmers who has an interest in organic farming but there is no market to sell their products. On the other side of the story, there were consumers who were interested in feeding their families with non toxic, organic food but, there was no place to buy them. “So we started the Good Market as a place to bring both these parties together” says Achala, remembering how it all began. “In 2012 we started with just 32 vendors and now it has expanded to more than 160!”. “The Good Market is a platform, not only for vendors but also a platform to inform people on organic cultivation.” Although they started with having organic food consumption in mind, now the market has expanded to much more than just organic food selling. You will be able to find clothing items, handicrafts, jewelry, accessories, ayurveda products, educational software, beauty & personal care and many more! Not only that, even the cafes and eating stalls are also part of this market and sell everything that is natural and good for you. Must be the Only Market in Sri Lanka where you will even find an entertainment stall!!
Whether they are organic fruits & vegetables, beauty & personal care items, household items or even the Entertainment, you can be sure that all these are pure made in Sri Lanka and guaranteed to be Good for you. Their tag line is “Good for the Planet, Good for the Country, Good for You” and so, that is exactly what they are practicing at these markets – at the Diyatha Uyana, Battaramulla or Racecourse, Colombo.
“This is not just any market. It’s a curated event and its volunteer based.” Achala continued to inform me further on this fabulous project. “We are encouraging ethical business practices. we even help farmers to get certification for their products. We give free knowledge to farmers or to anyone who likes to start organic farming.” This is not only about farming – “ We want people to start something. Find out what their passion is and the Good Market is helping them to make their dreams come true. Some of the people who joined with us, they came with only one item, with basic packaging and branding. And now they have their own branding and successful businesses.”
The market also has a ‘Zero Waste Management programme’. Since the Market also is generating waste , the Good Market together with Abans promote Eco friendly waste management programmes and try to reduce it further by suggesting vendors to use of more reusable items.
The Good Market also does Community service. “For special events like charities, the Good Market is happy to promote them.”
This has now become an evening hangout for people in Colombo. If you go to Diyatha Uyana on Thursdays or the Racecourse on Saturdays you will see families, friends, colleagues coming to spend an evening, listening to soothing music , enjoying healthy food. On Thursdays even office crowds are spotted at the Battaramulla market making it their new Lunch Spot! So given the chance it is observed that people indeed would go to a place where one can be sure of getting the best.
“I really need to encourage people to start something. Contact us, express their ideas. Consumers can come to us, ask questions.” “Feedback can be given, express ideas & comments at the information stall during the market on Thursdays and Saturdays. And also through our Facebook page.”
This may come as a big surprise but it is actually a volunteer based organization.! “There are 4 permanent volunteers and many more on and off volunteers. Volunteers work in the Shop at Lakpahana grounds, at the information stalls at the market, help vendors with their stalls, zero waste management programmes.” So anyone regardless of your age, gender…anything, you can volunteer to help out at the Good Market. When I asked Achala what are the qualifications to join as a volunteer, she said this “Nothing like qualifications. We need motivation and passion to help the society.”
The Good Market Happens;
*Every Thursday from 1pm-9pm @ the Diyatha Uyana [Waters Edge], Battaramulla.
*Every Saturday from 10am-6pm @ Nuga Tree car park, Racecourse , Colombo 07.
*Every Day from 8am-8pm @Lakpahana Grounds,14 Reid Avenue, Colombo 7.
The Good Market logo from The Good Market. Information are from interview with Ms. Achala Samaradivakara Maddumage , The Good Market website & Facebook Page.
All images & content belong to Savaary Sri Lanka. For more information, pictures & updates please visit our Savaary Sri Lanka Facebook Page
It all started when Amanda Keissel & Achala Samaradivakara Maddumage were working at the Seva Lanka Foundation. Working alongside with Sri Lankan farmers they realized that, there are many farmers who has an interest in organic farming but there is no market to sell their products. On the other side of the story, there were consumers who were interested in feeding their families with non toxic, organic food but, there was no place to buy them. “So we started the Good Market as a place to bring both these parties together” says Achala, remembering how it all began. “In 2012 we started with just 32 vendors and now it has expanded to more than 160!”. “The Good Market is a platform, not only for vendors but also a platform to inform people on organic cultivation.” Although they started with having organic food consumption in mind, now the market has expanded to much more than just organic food selling. You will be able to find clothing items, handicrafts, jewelry, accessories, ayurveda products, educational software, beauty & personal care and many more! Not only that, even the cafes and eating stalls are also part of this market and sell everything that is natural and good for you. Must be the Only Market in Sri Lanka where you will even find an entertainment stall!!
Whether they are organic fruits & vegetables, beauty & personal care items, household items or even the Entertainment, you can be sure that all these are pure made in Sri Lanka and guaranteed to be Good for you. Their tag line is “Good for the Planet, Good for the Country, Good for You” and so, that is exactly what they are practicing at these markets – at the Diyatha Uyana, Battaramulla or Racecourse, Colombo.
“This is not just any market. It’s a curated event and its volunteer based.” Achala continued to inform me further on this fabulous project. “We are encouraging ethical business practices. we even help farmers to get certification for their products. We give free knowledge to farmers or to anyone who likes to start organic farming.” This is not only about farming – “ We want people to start something. Find out what their passion is and the Good Market is helping them to make their dreams come true. Some of the people who joined with us, they came with only one item, with basic packaging and branding. And now they have their own branding and successful businesses.”
The market also has a ‘Zero Waste Management programme’. Since the Market also is generating waste , the Good Market together with Abans promote Eco friendly waste management programmes and try to reduce it further by suggesting vendors to use of more reusable items.
The Good Market also does Community service. “For special events like charities, the Good Market is happy to promote them.”
This has now become an evening hangout for people in Colombo. If you go to Diyatha Uyana on Thursdays or the Racecourse on Saturdays you will see families, friends, colleagues coming to spend an evening, listening to soothing music , enjoying healthy food. On Thursdays even office crowds are spotted at the Battaramulla market making it their new Lunch Spot! So given the chance it is observed that people indeed would go to a place where one can be sure of getting the best.
“I really need to encourage people to start something. Contact us, express their ideas. Consumers can come to us, ask questions.” “Feedback can be given, express ideas & comments at the information stall during the market on Thursdays and Saturdays. And also through our Facebook page.”
This may come as a big surprise but it is actually a volunteer based organization.! “There are 4 permanent volunteers and many more on and off volunteers. Volunteers work in the Shop at Lakpahana grounds, at the information stalls at the market, help vendors with their stalls, zero waste management programmes.” So anyone regardless of your age, gender…anything, you can volunteer to help out at the Good Market. When I asked Achala what are the qualifications to join as a volunteer, she said this “Nothing like qualifications. We need motivation and passion to help the society.”
The Good Market Happens;
*Every Thursday from 1pm-9pm @ the Diyatha Uyana [Waters Edge], Battaramulla.
- Bus Routes : 163,177,174,168,190 – Waters Edge halt to get down at
*Every Saturday from 10am-6pm @ Nuga Tree car park, Racecourse , Colombo 07.
- Bus Route: 155,138,122,120 – Racecourse bus halt to get down
*Every Day from 8am-8pm @Lakpahana Grounds,14 Reid Avenue, Colombo 7.
- Bus Route: 155,138,122,120 – Racecourse bus halt to get down & cross the road to the opposite side. You will see the big “Lakpahana” board.
The Good Market logo from The Good Market. Information are from interview with Ms. Achala Samaradivakara Maddumage , The Good Market website & Facebook Page.
All images & content belong to Savaary Sri Lanka. For more information, pictures & updates please visit our Savaary Sri Lanka Facebook Page
