It might be Melbourne’s longest-running market, but 153 years of experience in face-to-face trading doesn’t mean it can’t evolve with the times.

While the South Melbourne Market’s vibrant ambience and longstanding trader-shopper relationships are arguably as important as the food itself, the Melbourne shopping institution is adapting to reach more of its loyal customers – plus perhaps some new ones further afield.

Back in March, the market pivoted to offer a pre-order and pick-up service, which has since wrapped in favour of a new online shopping platform, South Melbourne Market Direct.

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When SMM Direct launched in September it was solely available to those living within a 10-kilometre radius of the market. The good news for those residing beyond Ascot Vale, Yarraville and Elwood (or who have since tree-changed further out of town), the service is now delivering across metro Melbourne – just in time for Christmas.

Regional deliveries are also on the cards. So you can continue to support local small businesses without crossing town (or coming into the city at all). To see if your suburb has been added, use the postcode checker that pops up on the homepage.

The home delivery service means you can now order market favourites like a slab of English cloth-bound cheddar from Emerald Deli or the ready-to-stretch pizza dough from St. George’s Sourdough Bakery and have it delivered to your door.

More traders and products are being added to the platform each week. But for the moment we’re filling our virtual cart with summer mangoes and peaches from Fruits on Coventry, Mount Martha mussels and Sydney Rock oysters from South Melbourne Seafoods, and free-range eggs from Babe's Farm Fresh Produce. There’s also purple sweet potatoes and an extensive range of locally made hot sauce at Georgie’s Harvest, grandmother ham at Vangeli’s Deli, and Spanish beers from La Central Spanish Deli.

Order last-minute gifts from Coconut Revolution, The Australian Natural Soap Company and Sarah Urban, while Padre Coffee will sort you out with specialty coffee beans for home.

There’s a $15 flat fee for delivery and if you order by midday on a market day, you’ll receive your bounty the next day. South Melbourne Market will be open seven days in the week leading up to Christmas.

Find more at shop.southmelbournemarket.com.au.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with South Melbourne Market.