Step into The Neighbourhood, a vibrant new pocket of The Finders Keepers Market, lovingly curated by Food For Everyone. Here, food becomes art, creativity flows freely, and community is always on the menu.
This isn’t just a market space. It’s a living, breathing celebration of connection: to food, to makers, to each other. Across these thoughtfully designed spaces, you’ll discover interactive installations, hands-on workshops, and joyful moments that invite you to slow down, savour the season, and share stories around the table.
Because when we gather around food, magic happens.
Colour with Creativity at the Mindfulness Mural
Tucked into the heart of The Neighbourhood is a creative corner where you’re invited to pause, play, and add your mark.
The Mindfulness Mural is a giant, collaborative colouring experience brought to life by Melbourne/Naarm-based artist Gemma Leslie, founder of Food For Everyone. Inspired by the joyful chaos of local markets, Gemma’s artwork captures a scene where community thrives, seasonal produce bursts from baskets, and shared meals tell deeper stories.
As you colour, you’ll notice native ingredients gently woven into the scene, a subtle nod to our ties to Country and the importance of eating in harmony with nature. This mural doesn’t just look beautiful; it reflects values that matter: seasonality, sustainability, and solidarity with the growers and neighbours around us.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to ground yourself, connect with others, and contribute to something bigger, one mindful moment at a time.
A Recipe for Joy: Creative Poster-Making Workshop
What if your favourite recipe became a piece of art?
Join Food For Everyone for a heartwarming, hands-on workshop where you’ll turn a beloved dish, maybe one passed down from your nan, or just your go-to weeknight winner, into a vibrant illustrated poster.
Here’s how it works:
- Pick a recipe that brings you joy.
- Use Food For Everyone’s playful templates and a splash of colour to illustrate the ingredients and steps.
- Add it to our community noticeboard or take it home as a memento.
- Feeling generous? Swap a recipe card with a fellow market-goer and discover a dish to try in return.
This project is so much more than just an art initiative – it’s a heartfelt celebration of the beautiful connections that food brings to our lives! Whether you love to doodle or you’re a design expert, remember that there’s no right or wrong way to express yourself here. It’s all about having a blast! Thanks to the generosity of Officeworks, this free workshop is available for everyone, and all donations will benefit SecondBite, a wonderful food rescue organisation that works tirelessly to ensure that good food gets to those who need it the most. Plus, every print from Food For Everyone contributes to donating the equivalent of 10 meals, so your creativity truly helps nourish those in need!
The stallholders:
No neighbourhood is complete without its locals – in this case, our stallholders!
Hand-picked by Food For Everyone, this collective unites both familiar and fresh faces, each offering something unique. Their connection stems not only from a mutual love of thoughtful creation but also from a belief in community, creativity, and care.
From stunning ceramics to essential pantry staples, treats, and everything in between, each stallholder contributes a flavour, a sentiment, and a memorable story. Together, they create a warm and inviting atmosphere that feels like home (but with superior snacks).
From the Curator Herself…
Gemma Leslie has carefully selected the stallholders for The Neighbourhood and has done her homework (and taste-testing) to bring you her personal favourites. She recommends everything from essential pantry items to fun design pieces. Here are the products she can’t stop thinking about, created by some of the amazing small businesses taking part in this unique space.
SIX-EYED SCORPION
There’s a reason this chilli has won awards. I eat this stuff by the spoonful. It’s punchy, crunchy, fiery and makes any meal more exciting. Every jar is handmade locally in Melbourne by chef Sandra Seah and her team — get a jar of the Original Crispy Chilli Oil in your pantry ASAP.
LAWN BOWLS
Finn O’Sullivan crafts glass art objects to covet. Playful, colourful, wobbly and wonderful — each kiln-formed piece is totally distinct. I’ve been eyeing off one of her ‘face’ bowls for YEARS, so it’s very exciting to have her join us in The Neighbourhood all the way from Brisbane!
SOOF FLASH EMBROIDERY
Safa El Samad transforms clothing into personalised heirlooms through her thoughtful embroidery. For The Finders Keepers Market, we’ve collaborated on a custom Food For Everyone x Soof flash sheet with special designs created just for the occasion! Bring a piece with you to the market, and Soof will add a meaningful touch to your garments to make them uniquely yours—something you’ll never find in mass-produced clothing.
ACIDE
For those who are in their pickle era, look no further than Acide. We can’t think of a meal or moment that isn’t made better with a pickle. We love their Zucchini Bread and Butter pickle – it’s both sour and sweet and goes great on a charcuterie platter (or straight from the jar, no judgement).
DEL BOCIA
I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the best butter you’ll ever eat. Del Bocia makes rich, Italian-style artisan butter that puts anything from the supermarket to shame. Founder Alberto Borghi set out to recreate the kind of butter he grew up with on his family’s farm near the Dolomites—and you can taste the difference. Their salted butter is a necessity.
CELIA LOVES
The finishing touch in any room is a signature scent, and Celia Loves nails the brief. Equal parts beautiful in scent and design, these are mood-setting hand-poured candles and room sprays that will quickly become a part of your everyday. Their Blue Amber & Cedarwood candle is calling my name…
Come Curious, Leave Connected
The Neighbourhood is your invitation to experience the market in a new light: embrace a slower pace, with an open heart, and dive into the creative process.
Bring your curiosity, a favourite recipe, and a friend!
Let’s create something truly special together.