Organic Farmers Market, a company that promotes health eating habits provides a platform for farmers to sell their vegetables directly to clients.
“Organic Farmers Market was started 2010. The market was a once a month affair that progressed to every Saturday throughout the year which has been the case until now. We also have a Sunday Market that happens in Kilimani area and numerous pop ups in shopping malls,” said Dennis Andaye, the founder of the Company.
In this, the farmers pay Sh350 market participation fee once per week to enable them sell the produce in shopping malls within Nairobi. There is also a Sunday market in Kilimani area.
These include but are not limited to broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, kales, spinach, lettuces, mixed salads, onions, tomatoes, shishito and radish.
Organic farmers market began with 10 farmers at The Talisman in Karen, but has grown to steadily and at the moment is providing a platform for 35 certified organic farmers and food vendors to trade their products and make it easy for clients to access the food directly from the producers.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, over one billion tonnes of food which constitutes about 70 per cent of fresh farm produce rots on the farm before it reaches consumers.
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Organic Farmers Market therefore seeks to bridge this so as minimize wastage and ensure farmers reap benefits of their hard work.
In 2017, there was a surge in the prices of vegetables by 1.66 per cent due to drought which led to a shortage in the market according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
“The inspiration behind the market was and still is to promote organic and healthy foods and provide a platform for farmers to market their products. Sick individuals are constantly looking for organic and safe foods, the elderly the same, we also have healthy individuals looking for organic foods to stay healthy, and mothers are looking for these foods for their young ones as well,” said Dennis
Dennis Andaye
Organic farming involves using fertilizers of organic origin such as compost and green manure with emphasis on practices like crop rotation and mixed farming with prohibition of synthetic fertilizers.
“The benefits of organic farming are numerous, one is the food is free of harsh chemicals and fertilizers that are toxic to life (human beings and living creature). Organic also farming doesn’t harm the environment,” said Dennis.
Interested farmers can contact Dennis on +254 712 879 803.