You may find it hard to believe but this dry, desert landscape grows organic vegetables and fruits in abundance in the right season and, as consumers, we make a difference when we support local food and farmers.
The Ripe Market Dubai
The Ripe Market Abu Dhabi
Blue Planet Green People
Blue Planet Green People host an organic farmer's market every Friday from 10am to 1pm for the JLT community, working with six farms across the UAE. From its inception in Feb 2013, the market has evolved into a small family-friendly morning out and while the Friday morning JLT market is a regular, they also hold other small markets at other areas around Dubai including Meadows and Greens. The JLT market is held outside the store which is located at BS4, Al Seef 2, Cluster U in Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT). Keep an eye on their Facebook page for locations and times for their other pop-up markets, or give them a buzz on +971 4 369 5209.
The Farmer's Market on the Terrace
The Farmers Market on the Terrace in association with Jumeirah Emirates Towers is a community based initiative active for around 7 months of the year (Nov to May). It is an open-air farmer's market with stalls selling organic foods including fruits, vegetables, baked items, eggs, milk, cakes, honey, jam, beans, pulses, rice, coffee and more. The market runs every Friday from 8am to 12pm on the terrace area outside the Godolphin Ballroom at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, and this year started on the 28th November. The market includes ten organic farm stalls (manned by farmers); and stalls by Baker & Spice; The Farm house; Slow food Dubai, Coffee Planet; Balqees Raw Yemeni Honey; Boon Coffee and Sweet Connection (the gluten-free kitchen). Plus healthy cooking demos by chefs!
Dubai Garden Centre
Amid the aisles of green foliage and blooming plants, the Dubai Garden Centre puts on an early morning Saturday market from 9am to 1pm! It is located in the centre’s new extension amongst the graceful mature trees and palms, with soothing melodies played in the background by a Saxophonist. Food vendors, housed in wood- cladded shipping containers, such as Vendome Bakery and some newcomers such as Taqado (great Mexican food cooked in front of you by real Mexicans), Joga juice bar, BBQ’d South African sausages, hamburgers and other culinary delights. Located and visible from Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Garden Centre is relatively easy to find, just ensure you take the Al Marabea exit, driving towards Dubai.
The Saturday Souk at Souk Madinat Jumeirah
The new Saturday Souk at Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a Farmer's Market held from 6 December 2014 onwards starting at 8am and taking place in the Central Courtyard. At 9.30am a live cooking demonstration with locally grown produce will take place and at 10.30am Talise Finess will run various demonstrations including mini yoga classes, beat the trainer challenges, skincare and juicing demonstrations. Participants include: Greenheart Organic Farms, The Farmhouse, Baker and Spice, Slow Food, Sweet Connection, Coffee Planet, Balqees Honey, Lootah Premuim Foods and more. Parking for customers is free until 10am and then charged at AED 10 for the first hour and AED 5 for each subsequent hour. Notable mention: Ripe also holds a Food & Craft market in Sharjah on Saturdays from 9am – 2pm at Al Majaz Waterfront.
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