Dhahran farmers’ market a hit with locals

A monthly farmers’ market has been organized in Dhahran by the Society of Advocates and Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) to support local and sustainable food production while creating an environment designed to create minimal waste. The farmers’ market provides shoppers with a great variety of produce through the growing season. The market offers produce from several farms in Qassim and receives support from the Saudi Organic Farmers Association, which works closely with the Ministry of Agriculture.
“We call upon more farmers in the Eastern Province to join,” said Najwa Bukhari, president of SAVE. The environmental benefits of the farmers’ market include the reduction in transportation costs and industrial food production, which generates significant carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gasses, mostly through chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The farmers avoid large amounts of packaging, which is difficult to reuse or recycle. The first farmers’ market in Dhahran took place on Oct. 16, 2011, and was a major success. The second season kicked off on Nov. 2, 2012. It is currently organized on the first Friday of every month until May.
“It’s a great initiative by SAVE. Very often, the produce is fresher and more affordable than in supermarkets, when imported produce is concerned,” said Carolina van Tilburg, an expatriate from the Netherlands. “It is also a nice social occasion where you meet people, like the olden days markets.”Another shopper, Sally Tawfiq, an Egyptian expatriate, said: “The produce is so fresh — as if just picked. It feels beautiful walking among the sellers and filling the basket with crisp, fresh vegetables.”
According to SAVE President Bukhari, “The aim to establish a farmers’ market was to educate consumers about the benefits of supporting organic agriculture and to give SAVE members an opportunity to visit the farms and know the producers of their foods.”
She added that it is important not only for the members but also for the people who visit the market to have faith in what is grown locally. Here they know it is fresh and has not sat for a long time in an airplane or a refrigerator.
SAVE supports local Saudi farmers to practice sustainable farming methods. The farmers are located at only a two-hour drive from Dhahran. “The proximity will help everyone know where the food comes from, and the market will support small farms and the local economy. This keeps food miles to a minimum, and reintroduces our young people to how and where our food grows,” she said.
The market offers organic food and locally made items. One such produce to attract consumers are the free-range eggs from Al-Hassa. A variety of home cooked dishes are sold in the market, including raw vegetarian dishes, Indian, Latin, and Middle Eastern foods.
The local market received an overwhelmingly positive response from the visitors, which forced SAVE to make this a monthly event. “Commitment to zero waste” is the goal of SAVE.
In accordance with this goal to decrease all landfill garbage, the farmers market is structured to create a shopping and dining experience that is earth-friendly.
All vendors agreed to use no plastic or styrofoam. Instead, stainless steel plates, cups, and reusable shopping bags are encouraged and provided.
“I seek farmers’ markets wherever I go in the world, and when I heard about the one in Dhahran I was so happy. I love the atmosphere of warmth and friendliness among the customers and sellers,” said Lana Sultan. The whole idea of earth-friendly, healthy living, and watching the children playing around and eating with their parents appealed to her, she said.
Along with food, there are non-food products on sale. Homemade natural beauty and house cleaning products, and items like dolls and handbags from reused materials are also for sale.