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Writer's pictureConscious Change

Today I choose local food (1- MARKETS)

Edinburgh offers numerous alternatives to use your power of decision as a grocery shopper and reduce your environmental impact. In the "Today I choose local food" series, we provide a complete picture of places where you can buy locally sourced food depending on your needs and time/ space restrictions.


The recent IPBES report (available here https://www.ipbes.net/ ) highlights the essential role of local communities in the management of resources that have an inherent part in the local biodiversity. Their observations of nature and their respectful interaction with their environment is the key to re-establishing locally adapted cultivation. However they don’t weight much compared to multi-national companies applying the same destructive agricultural patterns worldwide. The flourishing of those local alternatives to fight mass production is then in the hands of consumers that can choose what agricultural pattern they want to support through their grocery shopping.


Every time you are spending money, you are casting a vote for the kind of world you want. Anna Lappe

As a student freshly new to the adult way of living it can already be a rough time to get your responsibilities together. Who has never rushed to Tesco at midnight because their cupboards were empty! But as we have everything to learn yet, what better timing than to implement responsible automatism contributing to a better health and planet. Weekends are days off uni that need to be used for leisure to keep a balanced mental health. They are times for a bowl of fresh air and social bonding with local communities. This makes Saturday and Sunday mornings perfect for a walk to your neighbourhood market that could even help cure your hungover!


Markets also offer the possibility for a total transparency on the origin of your vegetables, for minimising your food's travel between their growing land and your plate, and offer a social opportunity to meet local farmers.They are the best alternatives to become eco-responsible. However it is not always a guaranty for organic commitments hence the importance to communicate with the producers.


1 - EDINBURGH FARMERS MARKET


Open from 10 AM to 2 PM every Saturday, it is located at the bottom of Edinburgh Castle's on Castle Terrace and is a perfect place to support local businesses.


2 - GRASSMARKETS FARMERS MARKET


If you have missed the Edinburgh Farmers Market hurry to the beautiful historic Grassmarket place where another local market takes place every Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM.


3 - STOCKBRIDGE MARKET


This lovely market is worth the detour for a nice walk every Sunday until Jubilee Gardens. Opened from 10 AM to 5 PM it gathers local artisans and farmers that would be thrilled to tell your more about their unique products.


Leith Market Medicinal Plant Stall - source: www.flickr.com/photos/mary_hutchison/34509195785/

4 - LEITH MARKET


Leith area is all about community and is flourishing with sustainable initiatives. The market takes place every Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM and is dedicated to offering a wide range of vegan products with the moto: eat, meet, greet or treat. It is the best place to start engaging with local change makers while enjoying a little walk along the water of Leith: time to head towards Dock Place!


5 - TRAM STOP MARKET


Located on York place behind John Lewis, in front of St Mary Roman Cathedral it is a nice district market with lots of food options and nice stalls. It takes place every Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM.


6 - WAVERLEY STATION PLATFORM 2a


This is the market for an end of the week refill as it holds every Friday from 11 AM to 7 PM. Like the name indicates this local market is situated inside Waverley Station and welcomes lots of businesses in little stands by platform 2. They also have places to sit to impregnate yourself with the poesy of travelling and travellers.


7 - OLD TOOLBOOTH MARKET


This daily market located near the royal mile on Canongate opened its doors in November 2018 to accommodate local businesses as well as local events like art exhibitions, live music jams, sketching classes or second hand sales. This is the chillest place to go grocery shopping while enjoying a coffee and joining ongoing activities from 11 AM everyday.


8 - POTTEROW DOME MARKET


This might be the most convenient market for students in central area as it takes place inside the university! The Dome is a well known indoor area of the student community with places to sit and eat. The market takes place every Wednesday from 11 AM to 3 PM and provides an amazing context to get to meet local producers.



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