“All of a sudden, so many people came to our fair for vegetables that our supply could not meet the demand,” said founder Becky Au, who gave up her job in the city’s financial heart a decade ago.

The pandemic has prompted more people to rethink what can be produced in Hong Kong, said Mandy Tang, who runs a campaign group that rallies behind the city’s farmers by promoting local produce.

“Just like people are starting to manufacture masks and hand sanitizers in Hong Kong, the epidemic is driving everyone to think (about) what can be done with our own hands,” she said.