An Oasis of Organic, Local Produce at Dubai’s First Farmer’s Market

farmers market dubaiCURATED BY NIKI DE WITT

Like an oasis, Dubai’s first farmer’s market seems to be a blessing for expats and locals alike. Nearly three years ago, Yael Mejia, a British expat, founded the marketplace after discovering how difficult it was to buy local produce despite its proximity. The farmer’s market can be found at the Emirates Towers hotel from late fall to mid-spring when the temperatures are still bearable.

FROM FASTCOMPANY

Call us fickle: we may have just given you a reason to never visit Dubai skyscraper and world’s tallest building the Burj Khalifa (you can experience the whole thing on Google Street View), but today we’re giving you a reason to check it out: it provides shade for the emirate’s first and only farmers’ market.

Modern Farmer reports on the origins of the marketplace, founded by the British ex-pat and proprietor of several artisan food shops in the U.K. Yael Mejia, who was disappointed by the city’s lack of local produce. “You could get crap produce from all over the world, sold in crap supermarkets just like everywhere else,” Mejia told Modern Farmer. “What about the local farms?”

It took years to bring a few local farmers on board, but the persistence paid off: 4,000 people attended the first market. Three years later, the market is still going strong”…Continue Reading

Niki De Witt headshot 150x150 Take Shelter: Ikea Designs DIY Homes for RefugeesABOUT THE CURATOR

Niki is currently exploring Asia while working on a children’s book series about travel. As a child, she traveled and moved often for her parents’ jobs. As a result of this, she has always felt most at home when she’s off and away. She is interested in international films, working on building an impressive tea collection, and can often be found with her camera in hand. You can have a look-see at her blog and follow her on Twitter @nikidding.

Photo via Baker and Spice Dubai Facebook Page

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