Residents in Pinang Tunggal and Bertam in Penang will now be able to purchase fresh farm products at the nearby Healthy Eco Leisure Lifestyle Opportunity (Hello) Market.

Set up to resemble the internationally renowned Camden Market in London, or the Paddy’s Market in Sydney, the urban grocery market on mainland Penang is a joint collaboration between the state government and local developer SP Setia Berhad.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said farmers from the nearby areas could showcase their fresh products at the market.

“This new facility will also give the opportunity to consumers to get their daily fresh food and vegetables at an affordable price, ” he said after launching the Hello Market at S.P Setia Fontaines on Sunday.

Among the items available at the market are guavas, jackfruits, corns, bitter gourds, long beans and other fresh vegetables.

Earlier, SP Setia executive vice president Datuk Koe Peng Kang said the company hoped that the market would empower farmers especially the smallholders and producers to market their products.

“This is our first step to becoming a trade centre that connects the sellers and the buyers.

“We also hope that the farmers can generate better returns selling their products here, ” he said.

For a start, the Hello Market will be held once a month on every first Sunday morning with about 30 farmers taking part.

Also present during the launch were state exco members Yeoh Soon Hin and Soon Lip Chee, Seberang Prai City Council mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud, councillor Ooi Yong Wooi, and SP Setia division general manager Ricky Yeo.