Photo by Inn at the Market – Seattle’s Pike Place Market is one of the most well-known farmers’ markets in the world
What exactly is a farmers’ market?
First of all, we answer the crucial question of what is a farmers’ market.
By definition, a farmers’ market is a physical retail market consisting of booths, tables and stands selling mainly locally grown or locally sourced food products, like vegetables, fruits and even meat.
However, because farmers’ markets are a reflection of a nation’s local culture as well as economy, the selling of local produce is not necessarily a hard rule. In fact, in some places, live animals or imported delicacies that aren’t available locally are more commonly sold – and PasarBella is a perfect example of such an exception.
PasarBella
The use of funky, brightly-lit signage and quirky décor gives PasarBella this warm vibe and alluring charm that’s simply hard to resist
Situated at The Grandstand aka the former Turf Club, PasarBella is the first of its kind in Singapore – and the largest one at that! Offering an all-encompassing range of cooked foods, fresh produce, other related products and personal services all under one roof, this vibrant indoor market features over 30 stalls – plenty of which are established local names, plus a handful of new concepts and exclusive brands making their debut in Singapore.
Clockwise from top left: The gigantic paella ($11.90 per serving) at Le Patio is worth queuing up for; Presenting the odd-looking yellow dragonfuit sold at Tangy Tangerines; Head to Oceans of Seafood for the day’s freshest catch
It’s no secret that Singapore lacks in one area, and that’s natural resources. Although PasarBella falls short of local produce, it’s still a godsend because it’s the next best thing to getting your hands on the newest, rarest, freshest and tastiest stuff!
From unusual fruits like yellow dragonfruit (Tangy Tangerines sells such gems) and hard-to-find vegetables such as kale (holla at SG Organic!), to bite-sized delights (go to Bonheur Patisserie for some macarons and Nibbles for delish carrot cake), super fresh seafood at “wet market”-cum-sushi bar, Oceans of Seafood, and of course, a whole smorgasbord of wholesome organic stuff on almost every corner – PasarBella may not be the epitome of a farmers’ market like its famous counterparts around the world, but it sure comes close to being a modern foodie’s dream come true.
Farmers’ markets of the world
Fortunately for these world-famous farmers’ markets, they boast a seemingly never-ending supply of local produce and have plenty of highlights to boot. Which of these have you visited?
Pike Place Market, USA
Photo by Flickr user innis22mara
Established in 1907 to bridge the gap between citizens and farmers, Pike Place Market is one of the oldest and most iconic farmers’ markets in the States. Open 362 days a year and 19 and a half hours a day, here you can see fish “fly” (at Pike Place Fish Market, huge fish are thrown from staff to staff instead of being passed around by hand), pick up fresh seasonal fruit straight from the farm, feast on cheese at Beecher's Cheese, the Number One artisan handmade cheese in Washington, and visit the first Starbucks store, founded in 1971. In other words, Pike Place Market is Disneyland for foodies!
Byron Farmers' Market, Australia
Photo by Byron United
The beachside town of Byron Bay in New South Wales is home to the Byron Farmers’ Market. Held every Thursday morning since December 2002, the market sees change in local produce for sale as the weather alters over the seasons – bringing top-quality stuff like macadamia nuts, organically grown turkeys, chickens and their eggs, prawns farmed in the nearby Ballina River and pork raised in the hills behind Byron to the tables and booths of one of the nation’s finest farmers’ markets.
Medina of Marrakech, Morocco
Photo by Erasmus S.A
Officially a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Morocco’s enchanting medina houses one of the world’s most exotic farmers’ markets. With snake charmers and fortune tellers as entertainment, explore the nooks and crannies of this must-visit destination while you take in the sights and flavours of everything it has to offer, from amazing traditional Moroccan fare to intriguing spices.
See Also:
Western food that will leave you wanting more
More dining options in the Bukit Timah area