However, the Otago Farmers Market (OFM) says the accusations are unfounded and made by a "disgruntled grower".
Goldenview Orchard owner Glen Manderson, of Roxburgh, went public with his accusations after the market clashed with a Canterbury grower, who was also forced to set up outside the market’s gates after being denied a stall.
Mr Manderson spent four years in Anzac Ave selling his spray-free produce after being denied a stall at the Otago Farmers Market about "10 or 12 times".
He said he decided not to return this season due to the "dirty tactics" the market used to "push him out".
Mr Manderson believed the efforts to drive him away included stallholders being instructed to fill up all the parking spaces in Anzac Ave early in the morning to stop him setting up there.
He said he had also been the subject of vexatious complaints to the Dunedin City Council ranging from allegedly operating without a mobile licence to blocking the footpath.
"The backlash I’ve been getting is absolutely atrocious ... everything from blocking me, coming across and abusing me, googling my business and slamming it with negative reviews, everything."
During the 2024 Christmas market, Mr Manderson said everything "came to a head".
He purposefully opened his stall about half an hour before that market began.
"I don’t have to stick to the rules."
Another stallholder at the time, Kevin Gilbert, who was a sitting Dunedin city councillor, "aggressively" approached him.
"Mr Gilbert ... came across, took photos, abused me in front of my customers, absolutely pulled threads off me."
Mr Manderson said he "wore it", did not say a word and carried on. However, half an hour later a council representative came across and "demanded" to see his mobile trading licence.
They checked the licence and Mr Manderson finished up at the end of the day.
"We have always had the appropriate licences and no issues or complaints from any of the community — our only complaints have come from members of the Otago Farmers Market board."
Mr Gilbert disputed Mr Manderson’s version of events.
"That is complete falsehood, absolutely completely — all I did was take some photos of him blocking the disabled crossing."
He said the only words exchanged were him pointing the crossing out to Mr Manderson and telling him he was parked over it.
In response he got an "evil look".
"I then went back and rang the council to come and get somebody to have a look.
"There was definitely no verbal abuse on my behalf, and if he wishes to go down that track, he’s more than welcome to."
OFM general manager Michele Driscoll said Mr Manderson’s accusations were unfounded.
OFM board members and staff had only complained to council about Mr Manderson on one occasion due to concerns he was blocking the footpath outside the market.
She said the "allegations" were placed in the hands of the OFM lawyer at the time and were dealt with accordingly.
"Staying true to the ethos of the Otago Farmers Market, the trust carefully curates its vendors to ensure that they represent a wide variety of local goods and best fit," she said.
