‘Love Your Local Market’ Initiative Goes Greek

Greece joins the international “Love Your Local Market” celebrations running on May 15-23 at the vibrant central market in Redi (1 Kennedy St, Agios Ioannis Redi), under the motto: “Eat Right, Shop at the Local Market”, summoning city dwellers to return to the city’s open air markets for local fresh products.

The “Love Your Local Market” festivities will include a series of gastronomy events, live cooking seminars, tastings, exhibitions, educational programs, competitions, workshops and entertainment.

First to arrive at the Redi market is TV foodie Vassilis Kallidis with his traveling canteen on May 16 (10am-5pm) for a midday party with street food and music.

Chef Giorgos Glynos follows on May 23 (10am-5pm) with his Food Truck, treating food lovers to innovative Pontic cuisine. In the meantime, food bloggers Μadame Ginger, Gourmelita and Funky Cook prepare refreshing smoothies with the market’s freshest fruit and veggies.

Meanwhile, the Greek Gastronomy Museum (13 Agiou Dimitriou St, Psyri, central Athens) will be treating guests to light snacks while hosting a show of select Greek products by local producers as well as spotlighting the cuisine of Greek monasteries and nunneries running on May 16-23.

On May 15-22, the Efpalinos educational lab will teach youngsters from the region’s primary schools the secrets of good nutrition.

The “Love Your Local Market” initiative is a celebration of market culture, taking place annually for two weeks in May. More than 2,000 local markets in over 19 countries participate in the event in efforts to support local markets and producers, and heighten their role in the growth of local communities.

“Love Your Local Market” Greece map. Red hearts: “Love your local market” events. Blue hearts: Location of central markets.

“Love Your Local Market” started in 2012 in London, amidst growing alarm for the future of the city’s local markets, which still hold a special spot in the hearts of people from all walks of life, as a place to shop, socialise, meet up with acquaintances, talk politics and catch up on some gossip.