These Tips Will Make Your Farmers Market Shopping Trip a Breeze

If someone tells you that you can find literally all your market needs and more in the market, believe her. Farmers Market contains nine major sections, all tucked into their own areas to avoid confusion and promote organization. These sections include fruits, vegetables, rice and corn, meat and poultry, eggs, seafood, native delicacies, dry goods such as home essentials, and the Dampa. Being aware of the location of each section will not only quicken your trip but will also make sure you have everything you need.

The Dampa section is where the fresh seafood you just bought can be cooked. This paluto service (cooking service) is a popular must-try. Located at the southeast area of the market, the Dampa contains many restaurants that offer this service, so make sure to be critical on which establishment you’ll choose. Although you can bring over the seafood you bought yourself and have them cook it, you can also select from the seafood varieties offered by the restaurant.

While it is a guarantee that Farmers Market Cubao offers fresh catches daily, there are still certain times in the day when it is ideal to shop, especially for meat and seafood. Before sunrise and right after lunch are the best times to buy meat and seafood since the products have just been shipped by the suppliers. Make sure to time your visit right so you can purchase the best from an already excellent selection pile.

To discover more wet markets in Metro Manila with the freshest offers, visit the Yoorekka Directory.

It’s always a safe bet to opt for produce that are currently in season. For one, there are more suppliers so you have a higher chance of purchasing quality produce. Moreover, items in season also cost significantly lower. This is because the higher the supply is, the lower the demand, thus pushing prices down. Don’t know when to buy which? Here are some of the most popular Filipino fruits and the months when they’re in season: dalanghita (mandarin orange), January to February and October to December; langka (jackfruit), March to May; lanzones, August to December; mango, March to June; melon, April to July; watermelon, March to July; pineapple, May to July; and rambutan, August to October [1].

To become a Farmers Market Cubao pro, you need to be aware of the secrets that can only be found within it. For one, did you know that it has a Timbangan ng Bayan or a public scale? Marketgoers can use it to weigh the produce themselves without bias. Another impressive fact is that the market carries premium items that can usually be found in specialty stores, such as special herbs, imported fruits, and speciality meats such as carabao and goat. Finally, while this one might not be considered as a well-kept secret, Farmers Markets’ impressive seafood selection from some of the country’s seafood capitals such as Roxas City and General Santos City is still worth mentioning. Leaving the market without as much as scouring the seafood area is an unforgivable sin.

Farmers Market is located at Farmers Plaza, General Roxas Avenue, Araneta Center, Cubao District, Brgy. Socorro, Quezon City.

Care to share your own tips for shopping at Farmers Market Cubao? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below!