WHEN Sydney Markets CEO Brad Latham and chair John Pearson explain to people why there was a need to shift to Flemington 40 years ago, they point to a photograph.
The black and white image, one of several adorning the Sydney Markets Limited board room walls, shows a heavily congested Sydney street with utes and trucks carrying produce crammed bumper to bumper.
"It grew out of itself. Moving west was the logical area," Mr Latham said.
"That's organised chaos," Mr Pearson added, pointing to the picture. "It demonstrates why they had to move."
That foresight four decades ago has held the markets in good stead with continual developments also bolstering the operational capacity of the facility.
The current site now sits in roughly the middle of the Sydney metropolitan area, according to the Mr Latham.
Reaching the 40-year milestone at Flemington has not been lost on the board.
Celebrations were held last month at the Sydney Markets 40th Anniversary Ball at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Earlier in November, a special 40 Years at Flemington breakfast was held onsite with some 150 of the long-term residents invited to share in the occasion.
It provided an opportunity for wholesalers, growers and administrators to catch-up and reminisce about days past.
One of the biggest changes at the markets has been how fresh produce is handled.
Farmers loaded vegetables and fruit onto trains which would then pull up at the markets to be unloaded by hand and wheelbarrows.
These days, everything is brought in by road with some 500 trucks per night unloaded by about 900 forklifts buzzing to and fro.
The customer base has shifted as well due to a combination of farmer-to-supermarket direct contracts, and also the rise of the "foodie" culture.
Mr Latham said the hospitality, restaurant and catering trade has boomed over the past few years seeing higher purchase volumes from these businesses.
"The cooking shows have had a big impact on the markets," Mr Latham said.
"I think the consumer is generally eating healthier and I'd like to think our school program, the Fresh for Kids program, has a bit to do with that."
The markets intend to pounce on Australia's new love for fresh food by building an onsite cooking school scheduled to open in May 2017.
Supermarket purchases have declined from about 30 per cent of total purchases more than a decade ago, to around 7pc currently.
But that's not to say the markets are suffering. In fact, throughput has consistently increased year on year.
One thing that seemingly hasn't changed over time is the sense of family throughout the markets.
"What other business would you see where they are selling the same product side by side, vying for the same customer, and they're mates," Mr Latham said.
"They are good people, not only in the way they manage their own businesses, but they are generous as well."
There are generations of families working within the markets now. It's not uncommon for a son to finish school, get a trade, then return to the family business at the markets.
Chalking up four decades is a momentous occasion, however it brings with it some concerns. "Forty years means we have an aging site. We spend about $1 million per year on roads," Mr Pearson said.
But there is a bigger picture at play. For both Mr Pearson and Mr Latham, it's about more than simply selling fruit, vegetables and flowers.
It's more about being a vital link in Australia's wellbeing.
"It's pretty common knowledge these days that the world population will double by 2050, so they've all got to be fed," Mr Pearson said.
