Shoppers in Chrisp Street Market going green? Must be spring time

A street market in London’s East End “went green” for Poplar’s annual Spring Festival when fruit’n’veg take on a ‘fresh’ appeal.

Serving up potted plants at Poplar's Spring Festival - Credit: Poplar Harca

One enterprising stall down Chrisp Street Market, off the main East India Dock Road, even had a real fruit machine with genuine bananas popping out instead of pictures on a gaming machine.

Behind the cut-out mock-up box was a team of real people dispensing the fresh fruit to delighted children and their mums and dads.

Special stalls and workshops were set up as well as cooking demonstrations showing how to get the best out of fresh produce.

Gardening groups sold locally-grown produce, shared green-fingered tips and exchanged skills at the ‘opportuni-tree’ stand.

There was even live music from Box of Toys musicians’ collective laid on by the organisers, Poplar Harca housing association, which gave shoppers a spring in their step.