There are plenty of reasons you should start shopping in a food market. It is more than the food shopping if you must know. There are so many things to see, things to do, many people to connect with, not to mention how much fun you will have spending time with the locals and farmers. But that’s just the surface. Let’s give you 10 reasons you should start going to food markets if you haven’t already.
Get Farm Produce FRESH!
All the products you will find in a food market are straight from the farm to the market. Unlike grocery stores where the items have been stored for days or months, in a farmers’ market, all the things you will see are fresh and have not been stored for even a day. The markets don’t open every day – most of them open only on Saturdays so you can go there to buy your foodstuff for the week.
Eat Healthily
Another reason you need to start making the food market a habit is because you will start eating healthier when you buy foodstuff from there. Not only are the products free from toxic preservatives and chemicals, but there is only a small chance you can find chemically produced products in a food market. All the products and goods here are 100% natural – which is 100% healthier.
Follow the Season
Some people might see this as a disadvantage, but it is indeed a big reason you should go shopping at farm markets. Inna grocery store, you can find pumpkins all year round as well as carrots and other seasonal foods. This is only possible with preservatives. But aside from that, you won’t be able to reconnect with the cycles of nature. By following the season, you will be able to look forward to different products while connecting yourself with the way nature works.
Support Local Businesses
By buying from a farmer’s market, you are supporting local businesses that are already struggling to stand. Every economy, including South Africa, needs to support our local business, especially the agricultural sector. What better way to do this than to buy from them! Some people in those markets sell crafts and unique dresses – make sure to check for a food market near you and support local families by buying at least one. Besides, they are beautiful.
Enjoy New Delicacies
Except if you don’t like food – at all, it’s hard to go to a food market and not eat from their in-market diners. Whether it is gluten-free dishes, vegan meals, street food, or main local dishes, the aroma of freshly cooked delicacies fills the air. From baked products like bread to locally produced farm products and cooked meals, there is no stopping how much fun your tastebud will have.
Discover the Spice of Life: Variety
The things you will see in a food market, you can never see them in an average grocery store or supermarket. The things sold in the supermarket are general foodstuff, but a farmers’ market carries the beautiful biodiversity of the environment and serves it to us on a silver platter. Going from maitake mushrooms, quail eggs, watermelon radishes, green garlic, stinging nettles, purple cauliflower, a rainbow of heirloom tomatoes, or red carrots, you can find them and more.
Learn About the Culture
While you are there, you can join the mini-tour group and learn about the culture of the farmers and the town. You can also ask the vendors how they do what they do and how they learned it. Especially when looking for craft designs, you can ask for the inspiration behind every piece while you shop. Not only will you leaner something new, but it is also lots of fun.
Learn New Cooking Ideas and Recipes
Culture isn’t the only thing you can learn when you go shopping in a food market. You can also leave new cooking recipes to try at home or in your restaurants back at home. Either you ask the food sellers in the market or ask the farmers what to cook with each farm produce, you can gather some delicious recipes while you are there.
Connect With People
It is so much better to stroll amidst outdoor stalls filled with natural-smelling farm produce on a warm, bright day than to be confined in a hall with artificial lights, perfume, and products packaged in brand wrappers. If you like the idea of being surrounded by happy people in a natural outdoor setting, then this is the place for you. Shopping in a farmers’ market feels more like an outing than a chore. You can also bring your family and friends along to have a good time.
Protect the Environment and Her Children
Recall when we mentioned something on supporting local businesses? You would be supporting the earth when you buy from a farmers’ market. One, they don’t pollute the air with industrial smoke emissions when processing raw materials, and they also don’t feed animals chemicals, hormones, and antibiotics. Both plants and animals are grown and raised in an eco-friendly manner with natural living. So why not support the earth and her children?
Conclusion
South Africa has some of the best farmers’ markets in the world. Since you know now the reasons you should choose a natural food market for a supermarket, why don’t you plan to go shopping this Saturday? We have a blog post about some of the best South African food markets you can begin with.
