New farmers market launches in Dubai

The second Farmers' Market On The Terrace has launched in Dubai, proving that the demand for locally sourced produce in the city is still growing.

The market will take place every Saturday from 9am to 3pm outside the new Baker & Spice outlet on Dubai Marina Promenade. It sells local produce grown on UAE farms and fresh bread and cakes baked by Baker & Spice and Sweet Connections Gluten Free Baking.

The first Farmers' Market on the Terrace was launched three years ago by Yael Mejia at Souk Al Bahar, Dubai, and since then she has seen a rise in popularity, and also a growth in the number of local farms producing for the market.

Mejia said: "When we [originally] talked of organic farms, people said they wanted access to the same produce. Out of this The Farmers' Market On The Terrace idea was born. Since then, the discussion about locally grown food has not stopped. We are proud to have contributed to the change in people’s perceptions and have watched with delight other initiatives follow in our footsteps.

She went on to explain: "It is a community-based initiative, which is now in its third season. Baker & Spice Dubai became aware of the local farming community in 2009 and we began using this fantastic produce in our kitchens.

"The farmers' market is active for around six months of the year, during the winter season which is the growing season in the UAE," she added.

The farms selling at the market include:

• Abu Dhabi Organic Farm
• Dar Al Fateh from Al Ain
• Bukhaled Organic Farm from Ras Al Khaimah
• Wadi Omrati Organic Farm from Dubai
• Shuweib Farm from Shuweib Abu Dhabi
• Organilicious from Sharjah
• Rashid Farm from Al Ain
• Mammel Nahel Company – the Tahini Man from Al Ain