Saturday morning, it’s time for shopping.
Urban weekend markets offering healthy goods, artisanal fare, and other ready-to-consume products straight from farmers and producers are a popular choice among city folk looking for items not usually available in huge supermarket chains.
Driving the growth of weekend markets are families looking for healthy and organic ingredients, as well as millennials who value, not only products straight from their sources, but also the experience of shopping and mingling with both sellers and fellow shoppers.
Right in the heart of Metro Manila, a new weekend market aims to transform urban shopping by providing farm-to-table experience.
The Urban Farm, located at the Greenfield District Central Park provides shoppers with fresh produce along with ready-to-eat products and household items. The newly launched Saturday market is open from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Shoppers can fill their canvas or any other eco-friendly bags with gourmet coffee, breads, organic produce, jams, jellies, cured meat, cheese, olive oils, spices, pies, pastries, muffins, mushroom chips, honey, truffle, poultry, seafood, meat, and rice varieties available at the market.
Healthy and organic does not have to be expensive as Greenfield said the aforementioned products are available at “wet market price.”
In addition to food, household items such as plants, handcrafted goods, and wooden pieces are also ready for purchase. Pet parents can also shop for gourmet pet food and merchandise.
Shoppers who want to take a breather after hours of walking around or those who want to eat breakfast or brunch with families and friends are welcome to Greenfield Urban Farm’s outdoor dining area.
“Urban Farm is not just another weekend market. With its vast array of curated selections, it ensures consumers a premium shopping experience,” said Michael Andan, Greenfield Development Corporation head of marketing communications.
GDC said the accessible location of Urban Farm allows more city dwellers to live a healthy lifestyle. It is near major transportation routes and options since it is located along Edsa corner Shaw Boulevard. People living in condominiums and other residences near the Greenfield District, as well as those who live in Mandaluyong and Pasig will have the easiest access to the Saturday market.
“It is brought to the center of the metro to encourage people to live a healthier lifestyle,” he said.
According to Andan, the carefully selected lineup of tenants features local and small businesses.
More than offering wide range of choices, it is also “set in finding ways to make the weekend shopping experience plastic-free and zero-waste,” said Andan. “Though not there yet due to a lot of challenges,” he admitted, “Urban Farm’s sustainable journey has started and the team behind it is coming up with different ways to cut down on waste and plastic usage.”
For additional attraction, GDC said the Saturday market will also be a venue of shows, art fairs, and other activities.
