‘Affordable, convenient and accessible’ were some of the sentiments expressed by the countless shoppers who made the month-end trek to the Farmers’ Market staged by the Rural Development Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) at the Michi Super Centre on Washington Boulevard.

Held during the last week of each month since June of this year, the market has been providing shoppers with the opportunity to interact (for 14 hours) with the farmers, and stock up on some really great deals. Thursday Food went shopping last Wednesday at the Farmers’ Market to see what was on offer and to get the reactions of customers and farmers alike. Naturally, customers were pleased with the affordable, one-stop venue where they could buy their fruits, vegetables and ground produce, while the farmers welcomed all the sales they could secure.

With shoppers pouring into the complex promptly for the 6:00 am opening, it was evident that it was going to be a successful market day. One could not miss the tents erected in the spacious parking lot, and customers had the option to park, shop, and be on their way within a short time. The inviting aroma of freshly bundled escallion and thyme, and the trails of rich red earth from which the Trelawny yams were dug, sent unmistakable signals that the Farmers’ Market was in high gear. There was, too, the variety that customers expected as farmers rarely had the same produce, and so customers were treated to choices galore. The next Farmers’ Market is scheduled for October 26, 2011.