THE Leonora Farmers’ Market has become a popular Friday afternoon destination for shoppers on the West Coast Demerara, offering locally grown produce, ready-to-cook vegetables and other goods in a clean, secure and organised environment.
By about 4 p.m. each Friday, the market begins filling with shoppers making their way home from work and preparing for the weekend.
The market, established as part of a Government initiative, provides a convenient outlet for farmers while giving consumers access to fresh produce at competitive prices.
Vendors from Essequibo Island often arrive earlier in the day to set up their stalls and offer wholesale produce, including ground provisions, vegetables and fruits. Shoppers can also find seasonal and exotic produce, as well as peeled and chopped vegetables suited to households with limited time for meal preparation.
For regular shopper Halim Kahn, the variety available is among the market’s main attractions.
“This market is a testimony to the variety of organic fruits, vegetables, dried groceries and meat shoppers can purchase,” Kahn said while doing his usual weekend shopping.
The market is organised into sections, with vendors selling clothing, meat, fruits and vegetables. Spacious aisles and extensive lighting help maintain an orderly environment, even as activity increases during the Friday evening rush.
Facilities are also available to improve the experience for both shoppers and vendors. Seating allows elderly persons and others to rest while shopping, while secure parking, toilets and showers are available, particularly benefiting vendors who travel from communities along the Essequibo River.
The market’s appeal extends beyond its convenience, with vendors highlighting the facility’s clean and comfortable surroundings.
Mahendra Hardyal, a vendor, described the shaded outdoor market as “perfect, A-one”, saying he was satisfied with the current arrangement and would not want to see changes at this stage.
Parbatti Chowtie, a vendor from Leguaan Island who has been selling at the Leonora market for almost 25 years, also praised the facilities provided for vendors travelling from the islands.
“The washrooms and showers are always well kept and clean, and after travelling with produce from Leguaan, they can refresh themselves,” Chowtie said. She thanked the Government for providing the facility for vendors from communities in the Essequibo River.
For some vendors, the market also provides an opportunity to cater to changing lifestyles.
Oniffer Patterson of Sisters Village prepares peeled and chopped vegetables for customers who want to save time while maintaining healthier eating habits.
“Some people prefer the cut-up greens; those are the ones that sell faster than the unpeeled ones,” Patterson said.
Regular shopper Gautam Persaud said he was satisfied with the operation of the market and described any complaints he had as minor.
The pensioner said the facility had provided a convenient place to shop and expressed appreciation for the attention being given to consumers.
“I can relax now as a pensioner,” Persaud said.
The Leonora Farmers’ Market forms part of the Government’s wider effort to expand access to organised markets where consumers can purchase locally produced food at affordable prices.
The initiative is also intended to create additional outlets for farmers while strengthening access to fresh fruits, vegetables and other locally produced food for families.
More market facilities are expected to be established across the country as the Government seeks to strengthen the connection between local producers and consumers.
