The first food truck market to hit Dunedin is being heralded a success.
Dunedin Food Truck Market organiser Catherine Page, of East Taieri, said the inaugural market was held in South Dunedin on May 4.
"It was really good - heaps of people turned up.''
For three hours from 4pm, diners feasted on food from 10 vendors parked at on the concrete area at Beaurepaires in Andersons Bay Rd.
From her food truck, Rising Sun Two, Mrs Page sold dumplings she had made from scratch.
Running a food truck for the past 18 months was hard work, but enjoyable.
"I was milking cows before I did this and I didn't think I'd own a food truck in a million years ... owning a dumpling truck is a lot busier lifestyle than working on a dairy farm but I love it - I love the interaction with people.
"This is the first job I've had where I don't get told off for talking.''
The site for the market was selected after she saw people washing cars on it to fundraise.
She floated the idea for the market to the Beaurepaires manager and her proposal of a monthly market was accepted.
The availability of vendors in Dunedin would dictate the day it was held, she said.
She decided to start a market in Dunedin due to the success of a similar market she launched in Mosgiel.
She started the Mosgiel Food Truck Market on a vacant block of land at the corner of Gordon Rd and Tay St in December last year.
"The support we are getting out in Mosgiel is amazing.''
Vendors gave money to a local charity at each of the monthly markets in Mosgiel.
Charities to benefit so far included Taieri Community Facilities Trust, which received about $600, Foster Hope Otago which was given $500, and Paws Crossed Cat Rescue Charitable Trust which received about $500.
Vendors at the Dunedin market would also support charitable causes.
The market raised funds for Parkinson's Otago but the money was yet to be counted.
Working life continued to be busy for Mrs Page including setting up a new truck and giving her business a new name.
"It will be something like The Dumpling Queen or The Dumpling Lady - something that's just me, if you know what I mean.''
SHAWN.MCAVINUE @thestar.co.nz
