Sayulita's Farmer's Market (Mercado del Pueblo)
FRIDAY's
Sayulita has so much to offer, from local artisans, craftsmen, jewelers, and Huichol art. Since 2009, the Mercado del Pueblo, Sayulita's Farmer's Market, celebrates wonders of the region by featuring local farmers and families who produce high quality, natural, consumable products. Shoppers from Manzanillo to Chicago to Canada rave that this market is one of best natural food markets that they've seen anywhere!
El Mercado del Pueblo opened in 2009 joining the Mexican and American Slow Food Movements of bringing local, sustainable products directly to the table for people to enjoy. The purpose of El Mercado is to provide local farmers a venue to bring healthy and sustainable food to the community and for the people of Sayulita to see the seasonal, fresh foods of the region. The vendors at El Mercado are committed to high quality, organic, and natural growing practices and teaching locals and visitor alike about the benefits of healthy eating, often introducing indigenous products to locals that are unfamiliar with them. Othon, one of the vendors in the market, recently opened an organic farm in Litibu with an accompanying restaurant. Othon is passionate about the organic movement saying "My goal is of course to have healthy food for my children but also to teach them to take care of the earth and to treasure it. Organic farming and local selling is part of our Mexican culture and I want my children to understand that." To add to the diversity of the Mercado, various local artists were added to the vendor list in 2012, making the Mercado an even more interesting experience.
While natural food markets are common in other parts of Mexico, the United States and Canada, the Mercado del Pueblo was the first of its kind to open along the coast of Nayarit. Soon afterwards other similar markets have opened including Puerto Vallarta and La Cruz. Yael, the owner of Organic Superfoods, originally from Guadalajara, has been watching the organic movement grow over the past several years. Several years ago, Yael's husband became ill and they began looking for alternative ways to stay healthy. They discovered the power of organics and brought his knowledge with them to the coast opening up an organic food store in Puerto Vallarta. Both Yael and her husband Manuel now participate in all three food markets, give workshops on eating healthy and are often invited to speak at local schools.
The Mercado also features a wonderful venue for cross cultural sharing of food preparations, growing techniques and healing practices. The Mercado, in partnership with the people of Sayulita, begins to build a community of local food knowledge, International cuisine, community gardening and care for the planet. Most shoppers at the market come to taste and shop and end up staying for a few hours as they bump into friends, enjoy the live music or just become engaged in a conversation. Enrique, who has lived in Sayulta for over 30 years states, "This market provides me a way to enjoy good food and friends all in one place, there is a good feeling here."
The Mercado is located on Calle Revolucion north of the bridge, in the empty lot behind the Comex paint store, and runs from November through April, and sometimes into May, mimicking the growing season along the coast. Close to forty vendors attend providing a wide variety of products including naturally grown and organic vegetables and produce, homemade yogurts, sauces, peanut butter, almond butter, baked goods, breads, and body products. Artisan prepared foods are also available in the market such as pickles, soups, quesadillas, savory pies and vegetarian offerings - making it easy to spend most of the day, enjoy lunch and listen to live music. To find out more or see additional pictures, please go to Mercado del Pueblo's website, Facebook page or email sayulitamarket@yahoo.com.