Heading out to a farmer’s market on your travels is a great way to learn more about an area’s food culture and a chance to taste some weird and wonderful fare. It also gives you the perfect opportunity to get chatty with the locals. So slip on your comfy shoes, grab a bag (organic canvas, please), and set out early to grab the prime produce.
1. Organic Market, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
‘Feria’ or farmer’s markets, are everywhere. But on the sands of the famed surf spot, Banana Beach, is one of the best. Try tropical granadilla and maracuya fruits and kick back to traditional music.
2. Riverside Farmers’ Market, Cardiff, Wales
One of the biggest attractions for the Welsh capital, locals flock to the banks of the River Taff every Sunday for organic ham, flowers, cockles and even Welsh-made whisky.
3. Ripe Market, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Held each Saturday evening in leafy, palm tree-lined Umm Al Emarat Park, this market offers locally grown, organic produce and Emirati handicrafts.
4. Ocna Sugatag Market, Romania
Be wowed by row upon row of home-grown produce – including live animals – for sale each Thursday at this authentic farmer’s market.
5. Kranji Countryside Farmer’s Market, Singapore
Head to the Kranji countryside for fresh eggs, organic mushrooms and oysters and sample delicious wares from friendly stallholders at this quarterly market.
6. Cradle Coast Farmer’s Market, Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia
Head down to the wharf on Sunday and celebrate bounteous Northern Tassie produce. Take home delicious free-range pork, handmade cheeses and delicate zucchini flowers.
7. Edinburgh Farmer’s Market, Scotland
Under the stunning backdrop of the city’s famous castle, this beautiful market is in its 16th year of trading. Don’t miss the local duck eggs and famous hog roast.
8. United Nations University (UNU) Farmer’s Market, Tokyo, Japan
Organic, farm fresh produce in an urban university hub? Find it in Tokyo where over 40 stallholders cater to the hungry weekend hordes on UNU grounds.
9. Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market, San Francisco, US
Winner of the best farmer’s market in the US. Head along during peach season for juicy deliciousness and leave luggage space for their jams and chutneys (like rhubarb and plum).
10. Kauppatori Market, Helsinki, Finland
Head to the pretty harbour for sweet cloudberries and lingonberries and other Finnish delicacies such as smoked reindeer meat. Just don’t tell Rudolph.
11. Mercat de la Boqueria, Barcelona, Spain
Watch Barcelona’s finest chefs fight over the freshest shellfish and delicate asparagus spears at this iconic market. And gather picnic essentials for an authentic Spanish feast.
12. Noosa Farmer’s Market, Queensland, Australia
Among the Sunshine Coast’s noble gum trees, explore local hinterland produce such as fresh potted herbs, just plucked macadamia nuts and the crunchiest lettuce.
13. Jirak Farmers Market, Prague, Czech Republic
You’ll find Jirak in the park four times a week, each time with a different fruit or vegetable as its focus. Busy the kids with workshops there while you shop around for more seasonal products, or cake.
– TEXT BY LUCY CLEEVE
PHOTOS SUPPLIED / KRANJI COUNTRYSIDE ASSOCIATION
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings.
