If you love farmers as much as we do, then join the 3 day Farmers’ Market in your city of Nagpur.  A government’s initiative, this effort by the local farmers has been going strong since almost 8-9 months now. There are many people in Nagpur who insist on buying locally grown vegetables and fruits and this has helped the local farmers tremendously, not only avoiding the middle men but also interacting with their customers first hand. They love the fact that people now know them by their names and they also get a direct feedback about their produce straight from the customers.
- When and where is the farmers’ market held?
Farmers’ market is spread across 3 days. Sunday- you can find them at Ramdaspeth. Monday they are in the Ajani area and Thursday, you can find them in between Ravi Nagar and CP club (in one of the rectangular grounds)
How are the vegetable and the fruits?
The vegetables and the fruits are locally grown and some of them are organic. However, the farmers claim that they don’t use any chemical sprays at all.
- Why shop at the farmers market when I have vendors nearby?
Why not? It is always a good idea to shop from your local farmers. It not only helps them monetarily, it also boosts their confidence. Besides, better tasting, environmentally conscious food, you can help the environment too.
- How is the quality of the produce in the farmers’ market?
Farmers’ market offers the freshest food around-usually only hours from the field, so you get the top quality and perfectly ripe flavour.
- What are the advantages of shopping at the farmers’ market?
Eating locally saves vast amounts of packaging waste and energy required to ship food around the world. The farmers use organic growing methods, meaning you gain access to food free of synthetic pesticides. Plus you can meet the farmers face to face.
It is also imperative to support them, especially in times when sustainable farmers struggle to survive; farmers’ market profits go straight into growers’ pockets, thereby keeping the small farms alive. You also save a lot of money, firstly because the produce is reasonably priced since there’s no transport cost involved and secondly there’s no middleman.
Parents can also take kids to explore how the foods are grown, harvested by browsing the stalls and talking to farmers. Farmers market also boosts your nutrition because by looking at the colourful vegetable and fruit display, you tend to eat more fruits and vegetables yourself.
- What else can I find at the farmers’ market?
You can find organic grains, and all organic lentils and pulses. Freshly pounded poha is one of the fastest selling things in the market. It is fresh and tastes amazing. Apart from this, you can find organic jaggery and freshly ground spices (masalas) and papads.
Next time you want to buy some fresh veggies, head over to the farmers market near you. You’ll be amazed to see just what difference it makes when you shop at the store and when you shop at a place where you see the produce being directly sourced from the farms.
Let us all support our farmers and believe in bringing food from farm to the fork.
