Dubai: Health conscious consumers can now buy a variety of healthy food products every Friday at a new organic market initiative launched at Dubai’s Safa Park showcasing a range of fresh food items and unique arts and crafts.
Launched on Friday, the organic market — organised by Dubai Municipality in coordination with Ripe Fresh, a company supporting local, organic farms — gathered a large crowds of local vendors and residents on its opening day.
“Ripe keeps the prices as low as possible and as accessible as possible as they support local and organic products that are cheaper than other organic products found in the market,” said Becky Balderstone, founder of Ripe.
Selling everything from fresh organic vegetables and fruits, to homemade jams, oils, organic coffee and gluten-free chocolate, the market gives residents the opportunity to purchase healthy products that are not often found in the market.
“The purpose of the Ripe organic market is to get people behind the brands to come and meet the consumers, sell their products and tell them a little about the items,” said Balderstone.
Ripe products, which can also be purchased online or home delivered, are delivered to customers after being harvested by hand from local farms with aim of keeping the food as fresh as possible, she added.
Along with food products, the market also includes jewellery, crafts, selected healthy cafés and a range of activities for children.
“There are activities every week for children such as sand art, a petting zoo with different animals and horses, and live music,” said Balderstone. The initiative which will include 70 local vendors who will provide products from local farms licensed and accredited by the Ministry of Environment and Water, will be operating on a weekly basis until June 2014.
Engineer Abdul Karim Julfar, Director of Public Parks and Horticulture Department said the market will sell organic products such as eggs, jam, vegetables, fruits, and cheeses, along with craft products such as jewellery, clothing and paintings.
Opening day
Customers who came on the first day said they had enjoyed the experience.
“I wasn’t expecting all the little stalls, but I’ve bought so many different things like Brazilian cheese puffs, a basil plant, and vinegar from Switzerland — I will definitely come back next week,” said Saven Aden, a visitor at the market.
Shaimna Mirchandani, who will be selling her gluten-free and organic truffles every Friday at the market, told Gulf News: “People are now more health conscious and I find that there is a lack of choice in Dubai of gluten-free products,” said Mirchandani.
Mirchandani started a line of handmade Belgian truffles in five different flavours, to give people who are health conscious or suffering from coeliac disease, an intestine-related condition an alternative to enjoy sweet treats.
“They shouldn’t have to miss out on the taste we are all getting to enjoy-chocolates,” she added.
