Michael’s

Market mortification!
It is no secret that I loooove the Adelaide Central Market — it is Adelaide at its absolute best representing all that we do best! Great local produce, excitement, colour, community, ethnicity, multiculturalism etc etc.
Michael’s Fruit and Vegetable stall tucked away in the north west corner is competitive, reasonably good quality and well laid out. I have been shopping on and off there for years. However in the last year I have become increasingly disenchanted with distasteful and cringe worthy comments directed by most of their staff towards paying customers who have Asian appearance — whether or not they may or may not have been born in Australia. There is a strong sense of irony here given the ethnic origins of Stall 53’s owners — 2^nd or 3^rd generation Australian themselves. The final straw for me was a week or so ago when an Asian tourist was assumed to have no English language and was deliberately insulted by 2 staff members. A shameful and embarrassing encounter that has left a sour taste.
I am now boycotting this stall despite its prices as it has soured for me what has always been a truly memorable shopping experience at a truly unique Adelaide institution celebrating wonderfully diverse cultural heritages from all corners of the globe. I am sure the Adelaide Central Market will continue to contribute to our eclectic palates and demand for new food experiences. I will just be making sure I only patronise those stalls reflecting this philosophy.