Shopping for the Best Fruits & Veggies in Costa Rica
Written by JohnK
How to Get Your Daily Dose of Fruits and Veggies in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s changing demographics are demanding higher quality goods and services. Among these is the basic food we eat and many Ticos are starting to do what they can to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Most Ticos buy their fruits and vegetables at the local grocery store and this has obvious benefits like convenience, strict quality control standards, sanitary regulations, a safe environment, etc. For those looking for a little something extra, there are alternative places to buy your produce. One such option is to buy local.
‘La Feria’
La Feria del Agricultor is Costa Rica’s version of a Farmer’s Market. Just about every small town has one and it’s usually held on Saturday or Sunday. Most Ferias are held close to the town center or on one of the side streets that runs along the local church or soccer field. The Feria is an open-air market where you can find all sorts of fresh produce and sometimes you even buy directly from the farmer who harvested it that same day. Be sure to shop around as prices for the same product could vary significantly from one stand to the next. Negotiating a lower price, or haggling, is acceptable and is often a fun part of the experience. Some Ferias enhance the already lively atmosphere and take it to another level by having live marimba music or offering traditional breakfast foods you can eat as you walk.
Even though Ferias start very early in the morning, you’ll probably only find a few people at 5 am, but things can quickly get busy. If you’re going primarily for the shopping, be there early (6-ish) to get your pick from the day’s selection. If you’re going mainly for the fun of it, 9-10 am is probably the best as it’s still not too early (for those who like to sleep in a bit) and it’s not so late that the noon sun scorches your skin.
Organic Food
Organic food is a concept that is very new to Costa Rica but it is one that is gaining momentum. There is a place where organic food lovers in San José gather and that is every Saturday at El Mercado del Trueque. The supply of organic products is not yet meeting the markets’ demand as only a few farmers have yet seen the benefits of growing organic. Some items are in high demand so be sure to arrive early, 6 or 7 at the latest, or you may find many items are sold out.
Buying organic food is not for everyone as there is a price premium to be paid. This should not be a surprise to anyone who has bought organic food before, but the rest of us need to keep in mind that we probably end up getting our money’s worth in health benefits (I.e. a longer life-span), and it’s good for your conscience as you’re contributing to the overall reduction of artificial pesticide use.
Feria del Trueque
350 m. South of the San Cayetano Church in Paso Ancho - near La Guacamaya auto parts store roundabout.
You can also purchase your organic food online at www.naturastyle.com although you’d be missing out on the ambiance.
Have fun, support local farmers and remember to eat your fruits and vegetables.
###
John D. Kloninger is a online marketer living in Costa Rica. Born in California, he grew up in San Jose and then went on to University in Honolulu, HI and Boston, MA. You can contact him at jkloninger@gmail.com.
This post's rating:
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...Related Stories
Filed under: Living on March 7th, 2008
Hello,
Ive been searching like crazy for kale, collard greens and salad mix since Ive moved here from the states and NO LUCK! Please any help finding these items would be greatly apprenciated.
Hi
The best way to shop in costa rica are the local farmers them selves.You get the most fresh and nicest fruits and vegetables , at the most reasonable rates.There you can purchase bananas, strawberries, guavas, mangoes, apples, melons, blackberries, oranges and papayas, and you can get vegetables such as squash, eggplant, broccoli, spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans and carrots.
So youcan enjoy your fresh salad with the nicest fruits and vegetables Some Costa Rica agriculture products you may want to try star fruit , passion fruit, macadamia nuts, pejibaye, mango ,papaya ,plantain.
They not only add to your diaet of vitamins and minarels but also fill your taste with delight.
enjoy……..
To be honest i wouldn’t recognize kale or collard greens if I saw them, but salad mix is available at lots of grocery stores here: automercado, perimercados and Mas por Menos. Either salad greens, or a cabbage mixture, or all-in-one salads are available!
[…] live with $10/month cell phones, rents below $500 monthly, affordable and fresh food from the Costa Rica ferias (farmers’ markets), and utilities that cost a fraction of what they did “back […]