Buford Farmers Market

Hi Friends!

Today in my nutrition class I had to turn in one of my first assignments. The assignment was to visit an ethnic food market and write a report on it. I also had to make a full day meal plan for a family of four using only $10. I want to share my report with you to incorporate my nutrition background in my blog. Hope you enjoy!

BufordFarmers Market is a market that has often been nicknamed “the grocery store of the gods” because it is the type of market where anything can be found. This diverse market offers common American brands like Coca-Cola, to exotic fruits and vegetables from around the world. Located in the ethnically diverse city of Doraville, the farmers market attracts all kinds of races. Although the market was very clean and organized, it was difficult to get around because of the high volume of customers shopping at that time. Each isle was marked with a number, ethnicity of the food, and a few details of the food found there. The staff was friendly and wore nametags that included where they were from. I noticed some cashiers that were from Mexico, Thailand, and Haiti. Various food sample stations were set up through-out the store, giving customers opportunities to try different foods. Overall I had a wonderful experience at the Buford Farmers Market and enjoyed learning about different countries food items. 

While walking around the Buford Farmers Market I noticed that people from all age groups were shopping there. I saw young people looking for a cheaper option for purchasing fresh produce. There were older people shopping with their families and getting large quantities of meats and produce. During my visit I noticed that the farmers market actually has their own butcher which allows them to provider affordable meat.

Although different sections of the farmers market were busy, the most crowded was the produce. While walking around the fresh produce section I was able to see many different kinds of fruits and vegetables. I recognized most of them but there were a few interesting exotic fruits and vegetables. One of these exotic fruits featured at the famers market was rambutan. Typical cost of this fruit is $4.69 a pound. Rambutan, meaning ‘hairy’ in Malay, is a spiky fruit from Southeast Asia (1). It is commonly found in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Borneo, Puerto Rico, and Guatemala (1). It is popular to eat rambutan in all these countries as a sweet and sour snack similar to grapes.  It grows best in cooler climates but can also thrive in warmer weather. In some areas rambutan trees bear fruit in late fall and early winter.  The rambutan is in the same botanical family as the lychee. It has a single central inedible seed surrounded by edible white flesh. Once ready to eat, the rambutan should be two to three inches long and be a bright red color (1). Nutritional benefits of the rambutan fruit are similar to oranges and apples. Most of the rambutan calories are derived from carbohydrates and are very low fat (2). Beneficial nutrients such as vitamin C, iron, Gallic acid, fiber, and phosphorous are found in the rambutan. According to a study conducted by the University of Chiang Mai in Thailand, rambutan contains powerful antioxidants called flavonoids (2). Several types of flavonoids are believed to reduce cholesterol, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer.  

An exotic vegetable I found at the farmers market is the spiny Chayote squash. Part of the gourd family, this vegetable can typically be purchased for $1.39 a pound. Originally cultivated in central Mexico, the Chayote squash is now commonly found throughout Central, South, and North America (3). Although Chayote squash peak harvests are fall through late spring, it can be available year round. Chayote is a medium sized green squash with thorns. It has a mild flavor which allows it to go well with fruits and other vegetables. It is common South American side dish that can be eaten both raw and cooked. It is often served in salads, grilled, and even added to soups, stews, and casseroles.  Due to its thorns, Chayote squash should be handled with care. It should be gently held while cutting it to avoid getting hurt by the thorns.  Like pumpkins, Chayote is one of the vegetables having very low calories (16 calories per 100 g) and contains no cholesterol or saturated fats (4). It contains health benefits such as dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, minerals, and various vitamins (4). It is commonly recommended by dietitians for cholesterol control and weight reduction.