Qatar’s Trailblazers |
hip alternative weekend spot for residents. It also gives
visitors a chance to sample handmade and local food and
experience a slower pace of life.
Fatma is particularly proud of the stall selling Kanar
Crumble, made by local producers from the fruit of
Qatar’s national tree. Rather like small apples, they
contain more vitamin C than any citrus fruit.
She says: “We have the limitations, obviously, of the
desert, but we have forty kinds of home-grown produce,
and more is appearing all the time.”
Reusable hessian bags are the order of the day, together
with recyclable containers.
The market is also working to become zero waste, with
any excess food used as compost.
It is satisfying work. Fatma says: “The public in Qatar is
really passionate about this. Being a sustainable, healthy
nation is so important, and buying and cooking food
straight from the ground is incredibly rewarding. The
market has been greeted with such enthusiasm, it has
been a joy to see.”
The food is grown on organic Qatari farms, certified to
maintain the highest standards.
“We are able to sell raw sheep, goat and cow milk,
alongside camel milk. We have free-range chickens fed
from pastures in the farm so that they produce what we
call ‘golden eggs’, which are extra-nutritious,” Fatma says.
“Our lettuce is grown in the open, and we have rainbow
colour carrots, delicate purple aubergines, and exotic
dinosaur kale – all homegrown. I am very proud to
showcase this, some of which comes from my own family
farm passed on to us by my grandfather.”
It is a growing movement – people will visit the organic
market to tell Fatma “we have a farm”, and say that
they want to contribute too. So, the market is a true
community initiative, growing organically each month.
A formidable force of nature herself, Fatma began
planning the market two years ago. It opened at the end
of 2017. “Health and safety inspectors wanted the food
to be packaged, and I had to explain that people wanted
to buy it loose in paper bags. We have a zero-plastic
philosophy, but that required a change in mindset.”
Where ?
Ceremonial Court, Qatar Foundation
When ?
Runs from November to April
What ?
Locally grown vegetables, vegan
mushroom burgers, fresh juices, coffees
Why ?
If you support zero waste, locally
grown products, and supporting local
business – Torba is the place for you
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