A must for connoisseurs: Discover regional delicacies at the farmers’ market

Farmers’ markets have a long tradition and have always offered farmers a place to sell their goods in the city. Where farmers used to do their business and stock up on produce for the coming year – back then livestock was also bought and sold at the farmers’ market – today farmers’ stalls offer food they have produced themselves.

The assortment ranges from fruit and vegetables to meat, fish, sausage, cheese and bread to preserves, jam, honey and spices.

Farmers’ markets in Vienna

Vienna has a large number of smaller and larger farmers’ markets, weekly markets and street markets as well as flea markets and other specialty markets. Are you looking for a farmers’ market near you? You will probably find the nearest market just around the corner, where you can sample regional delicacies.

Note: Pubs and bars at the various markets may also be open on Sundays and public holidays.

Farmers’ market instead of supermarket

Farmers’ markets are becoming increasingly popular. Why is that? As the trend in recent years has been towards more regionality and environmental protection has become more of a focus for the public, farmers’ markets are becoming increasingly popular and appreciated. A farmers’ market has many advantages:

• Less plastic: Food is generally offered unpackaged, in contrast to supermarkets, where many products are (sometimes unnecessarily) wrapped in plastic.
• Fresher food: Farmers can offer the food they harvest themselves directly at the market, which eliminates the need for time-consuming transportation via intermediaries and the produce is generally fresher.
• More sustainability: Regional production and shorter delivery routes reduce the ecological footprint.
• Support for local structures: Buying at the market supports local structures and producers, the money stays in the region.
• Contact with the producer: If you have any questions about the products on offer or the production process, you can contact the producer directly at the farmers’ market.
• Local selection: While the range in the supermarket chain may be larger overall, the farmers’ market often offers a wide selection of local varieties that may not be available in the supermarket.

In addition to visiting the farmers’ market, there are other ways to buy directly from farmers and shop regionally:

Digital farmers’ market markta

You don’t have time to drive to the nearest farmers’ market, but still don’t want to miss out on regional food. Why not order online? At Austria’s first digital farmers’ market, markta, you can put together your own weekly shop from over 1000 regional products from small and family-run businesses and have it delivered to your doorstep.

There is now also a markta branch at Alser Straße 16 in Vienna’s 9th district. This ‘super farmers’ market’ offers a full range of locally and sustainably produced food, household and cosmetic products in an area of just under 400 m². Interested parties can also find out about animal husbandry, cultivation and the producers.

Farm-gate sales / farm shops

If you prefer to see the farm for yourself, you can also go directly to the farmer. Many producers offer farm-gate sales or run their own farm store, where fruit, vegetables and other products can be bought directly and freshly harvested.

FoodCoop

If you don’t have a good option for sourcing regional organic food nearby, you can alternatively set up a FoodCoop (food cooperative) or join an existing FoodCoop.

These food cooperatives are an association of people and households who purchase organic products directly from local producers such as farms, market gardens, beekeepers, etc. in a self-organized way. The advantage is that tasks such as collection, storage etc. are shared.

Farmers’ market vs. weekly market – what’s the difference?

At farmers’ markets, products produced by farmers themselves, usually food, are offered for sale directly. In contrast to weekly markets, they are therefore supplied by their own producers. At weekly markets, other products are sold in addition to food, for example clothing.

The products traded do not originate from their own production. However, a strict distinction is often not made between these marketplaces; typical farmers’ markets are also referred to as weekly markets as they take place once a week.

Fazit

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