Freshbox Open Market

The Freshbox Open is an open-space farmers market located in the central plaza of Simhapura in Temasek.

Purpose / Function

Freshbox Open market was founded with a two-fold mission: to promote regional agriculture by providing small family farms the opportunity to sell their locally grown products directly to consumers, and to ensure that all Arcadians have access to the freshest, most nutritious locally grown food Simhapura has to offer.

Alterations

Since its conversion, the majority of the machinery has been removed such as the boilers, turbines, etc. The place is filled instead primarily with stalls and a few community gardens.

Architecture

The frame is mainly close-grained, first-growth lumber which is naturally stronger and more rich looking than if modern timber would be used for its construction. The rest of the building is mainly classic brick and mortar.

History

It was originally a coal based power plant during the height of the industrial manufacturing era of the town due to its proximity to the river. It was used by the locale populace for electrical energy and heat for 50 years until the coal shortage hit the area forcing it to stop production and be abandoned for roughly 17 years. Then a local chapter of a growing activist movement encouraged their legislature to reuse the place for new purposes. Thus came the plan to remake the existing building as a large indoor farmer's market and the remaining space as community gardens.

Tourism

The near 50 stalls in the marketplace have always been a precious commodity for Temasek, providing fresh produce for urbanites and supporting the quiet work of local farmers. Also the festival-like atmosphere of outdoor markets, traditionally brought throngs of people browsing, chatting and tasting free samples, along in a large community building effort. Freshbox offers a variety of specialized educational programming for youth and adults, typically in the form of school tours and the teaching garden.

Type

Market square