Today (May 8, 2009) was market day in my neighborhood in Montevideo. Actually two days are market day in my neighborhood–Tuesday and Friday. Of course any day is market day if I want to go to the grocery store.

I don´t.

For those of you who ask about prices, today I bought the following. I paid pesos but will change value to dollars for comparison purposes. All of the following are fresh.

Pears 50 cents per pound
Oranges 50 cents per pound
Red delicious apples 60 cents per pound
Leaf lettuce 25 cents per pound
Spinach 25 cents per pound
Tomatoes 25 cents per pound
Tangerines 40 cents per pound
Kale 40 cents per pound

The outdoor markets in Montevideo move from one outdoor location to another in the city throughout the week. In my neighborhood it is here on Tuesday and Friday. But the vendors set up in other areas on other days. Normally the traffic is rerouted and the vendors take up the entire street.

It works well for everyone, in our opinion. For one thing, a street in a major city shutting down so that farmers can connect with consumers is pretty interesting. The fruits and vegetables are generally very fresh, though they can wilt a bit during the day since these outdoor markets certainly are not refrigerated. The farmer gets to sell closer to retail, and for the consumer it is still a lot less expensive than if he or she bought it in a supermarket.

An organic vegetable garden in the back yard would also be a great idea!

©Arlean Kelley 05/08/2009 All rights reserved