The local market place, a healthier and cheaper alternative
According to Mientjie Kleinhans, marketing manager for the Boksburg Boeremark (Farmer's Market) in Boksburg, buying fresh produce at a market is a cheaper alternative to buying in the supermarket.
“There’s no middleman, so buyers can purchase directly from the producer, and also produce that is fresh and hasn’t been lying in warehouse for days,” she says.
Mientjie says people buy from supermarkets because it’s a force of habit.
“It’s convenient, and it’s normally closer to their homes and work places, but it’s pricier. It’s cheaper and healthier to buy fresh from the market, but people don’t know about markets, because they are not advertised,” she adds.
Rina Oberholzer has only been to a market place three times, but is now hooked.
“I prefer markets, because you can walk around, relax, and enjoy the outdoor while you buy products that are homemade, cheaper and fresher,” she says.
Rina also adds that supermarkets are congested and make shopping difficult.
Maria Makhamo is a Mozambican hawker who’s been selling fruits and vegetables on the streets of Boksburg since 1999.
Maria says she buys her stock on a weekly basis from a market place in Johannesburg, because its cheaper than buying at a supermarket.
“Seven kilogrammes of onions at a supermarket cost me R30 while at the marketplace, 10kg cost R17,” she says.
To ensure that she always sells fresh produce, Maria only buys a week’s worth of stock at a time.
Marius Kroef (37) specialises in chicken breeding and chicken meal preparation.
He’s been selling his chickens, which are prepared in various methods, at the Boksburg Boeremark since its opening in May.
“We sell free range chickens, with no preservatives, no antibiotics and no growth hormones. The taste is different and fresh,” he says.
Karin Eloff can vouch for her boerewors, which she says is made from only the best quality, freshest, A-grade, pure beef.
“The best part about buying at a market is that we can tell you exactly what’s in our meat, and there’s nothing hidden,” she says.
Karin also sells homemade biltong, sauces and jams.
Adeline Twigge, organiser of a Boksburg Boeremark, says that healthy eating is only expensive if one buys organic products.
“Our fruits and vegetables are ordered directly from farmers; they are grown fresh and our markup is only 10 per cent for the convenience of the buyer,” she says.
If you want to visit the market, it is open on Saturdays from 8am until 2pm on Madeley Street, Boksburg.
