AMMAN: Amman's Souq al Balad Farmer's Market is the place to go for organic and local produce (and some other fun stuff, too). The warm weather sweeping across the Middle East must be putting people in the mood to pay more attention to their produce and spend time shopping outdoors, because farmer's markets are popping up everywhere. Just last week, an all-organic farmer's market opened up at the historic Turkish train station in Tel Aviv and it looks like there's another farmer's market – Souq al Balad – going strong in Amman. Operating every Saturday since April, the Souq al Balad Farmer's Market in Amman will continue to operate every Saturday through June. It is held at the YWCA behind Le Royal Hotel at 3rd Circle, from 10am – 2pm. The products sold at the market include organic and local produce, traditional pastries, baked goods, potted plants and flowers, hand-made soaps, traditional and innovative handicrafts (including the beautiful work of Rima Malallah's Love on a Bike), fresh dairy, breads, olive oil, preserves, and more. The market has been organized jointly by Entity Green, Shams Jordanie, Hamzet Wasel, and others with some specific goals in mind: 1. To enable direct relationships between customers and producers to improve the livelihoods of the farmers and provide the consumers with access to high quality products (including organic and niche produce). 2. Reduce carbon footprints by offering locally grown and produced food and crafts. 3. Create a network of local producers, and provide a venue for producer development in marketing and product design. 4. Build community by providing a space for meeting and sharing goods, ideas and skills. Green Prophet
