Shoppers take fresh look at farmers' markets
Ad hoc venues selling cheap and locally grown fruit and vegetables take root with consumers
As a health-conscious mother of two, Carrie Fong used to face a dilemma between buying mainland produce of questionable quality, or paying exorbitant sums for imported organic food. But she has a solution: ad hoc farmers' markets that sell cheap locally grown organic produce.
"These markets are one of the best things to have emerged in Hong Kong in recent years. The vegetables are organic, fresh and inexpensive," Fong says. "You can nearly halve your organic food bill by shopping here than at a posh supermarket."
The markets tend to spring up on weekends at whatever public space can handle the farmers and the hoards they draw. Newcomers to the scene will find the food quality a revelation.
On a recent shopping trip at the organic food market at Pier 7 of the Star Ferry terminal in Central, Fong spent about HK$200 on local vegetables that could last her family for five days. This includes carrots that cost HK$20 per pound. By comparison, a pound of organic carrots from Australia costs about HK$34 at high-end supermarket City'super. Fong also bought ginger priced at HK$40 per 500 grams. The same amount of non-organic ginger from Japan at City'super would cost HK$75.
The food market on the first floor of Pier 7 opens every Sunday and Wednesday. Across the harbour, there is Mei Foo Farm Fest, which takes place near the Mei Foo wet market every Sunday.
The latest addition is Island East Markets at Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay, a Sunday market featuring local organic veggies, local handcrafts and live music.