Championing Women in Business Isn’t a Campaign at Freo Farmers Market

At Freo Farmers Market, championing women in business isn’t a campaign. It’s embedded in how we operate every Sunday. International Women’s Day simply gives us the chance to pause and acknowledge it, and to recommit to doing it even better in the years ahead.
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A true stand out for us here at Freo Farmers Market is that women are not just participating in our market economy – they are leading it, shaping it and strengthening it.

Why Championing Women in Business Still Matters

Across Australia, women continue to start businesses at increasing rates, yet they still face barriers that their male counterparts are less likely to encounter, from access to capital and networks to balancing unpaid care responsibilities alongside paid work. Small markets like ours might seem humble in scale, but they play a meaningful role in shifting that landscape.
A weekly market offers:
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• A low-barrier entry point into business
• Direct access to customers
• Immediate feedback on products
• A supportive peer network
• The ability to build brand loyalty face-to-face

For many women, that combination is critical. It allows an idea to move from kitchen or workshop bench to customer's hands without the overheads and risks that come with a full retail fit-out. It creates breathing room to refine, adapt and grow sustainably.
That’s something we are proud to stand behind.

Women Leading at the Market

When you walk through Freo Farmers Market on a Sunday, you’re seeing women leading across every category; food, farming, craft, wellness and catering.

Zoe from Allington Family Farm represents the next generation of farmers who are deeply committed to regenerative practices and direct-to-community sales. Supporting women in agriculture matters, especially in sectors traditionally dominated by men.

Leti from Abuela’s Kitchen has built a loyal following through food that connects culture and community. Businesses like hers show how women are preserving heritage while building modern enterprises.
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Silvia at BanksiAlia Crafts, Jane from Elia Balms and Blends, and Pamela from Elemento Ceramics are part of a growing number of women turning creative skills into viable businesses. Markets give makers like them an opportunity to test product lines, build an audience and develop confidence before expanding further.

How Freo Farmers Market Supports Women-Led Businesses

Our role isn’t to single women out, it’s to ensure the environment is structured in a way that genuinely supports them. That includes:

Creating accessible entry points.
Markets allow stallholders to start small. This flexibility is especially important for women who may be balancing family responsibilities or transitioning from other careers.

Building community, not competition.
One of the things that makes Freo Farmers Market special is how stallholders collaborate. People share tips, offer advice, and naturally promote each other’s products. This supportive ecosystem benefits everyone, and it’s especially powerful for women who may not have traditional business networks.

Encouraging long-term growth.
We’ve seen women start with a single product and gradually expand into catering, wholesale, workshops, or larger retail ventures. The market serves as both a testing ground and a springboard for bigger opportunities.

Providing visibility.
Trading week after week builds brand recognition. Customers get to know the people behind the products, trust grows, and credibility strengthens. For women in business, this kind of visibility can open doors and create lasting opportunities.

International Women’s Day: It’s More Than a Date
International Women’s Day continues to matter because progress is ongoing. It’s not about a one-day celebration or surface-level messaging. It’s about acknowledging both achievements and the work still to be done.

For us, it’s a reminder to:

• Reflect on how inclusive our spaces are
• Ensure leadership opportunities remain open
• Celebrate real stories of resilience and growth
• Encourage the next generation of women to see business ownership as achievable

When young girls walk through the market and see women running farms, managing seafood stalls, leading catering businesses or creating successful product lines, that visibility shapes what feels possible.
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That representation matters.

A Collective Responsibility

Championing women in business isn’t just the responsibility of women. It’s a community effort.

- Customers who choose to buy from local women-led stalls.
- Other stallholders who collaborate and refer business.
- Event organisers who prioritise diversity.
- Communities who understand that economic equality strengthens everyone.
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Freo Farmers Market is built on that collective mindset. We don’t exist in isolation, we’re part of Fremantle’s broader small business ecosystem. Supporting women within our market contributes to a stronger, more resilient local economy overall.

​Continuing the Conversation in 2026 and Beyond

As International Women’s Day approaches on 8 March 2026, our focus isn’t on grand gestures. It’s on continuing what we already believe in: practical support, real opportunities and genuine recognition.

We’ll continue backing women who want to start small and grow steadily.
We’ll continue fostering collaboration across our stallholder community.
We’ll continue creating a space where leadership looks diverse and inclusive.

And we’ll continue encouraging our community to shop with intention, understanding that where you spend your money has an impact.
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Want to know more about our wonderful women in business here at the markets? Then come on down this Sunday, at Bruce Lee Reserve from 8am - 12pm. See you there!