Farmers' Markets in Bulgaria – The Other Agriculture

Mission, Lifestyle, and Followers

The farmers' markets, initiated by Hrankoop and with financial support from the Agriculture Development Fund, work together to restore trust in Bulgarian small producers of traditional food and increase farmers' income through a shortened supply chain. The markets provide an opportunity for farmers to sell their produce directly without the intermediation of large retail chains or resellers. "This is important for encouraging small and medium-sized businesses and fostering healthy eating habits," stated Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Assoc. Prof. Georgi Kostov at the opening of the Christmas Farmers' Market in Sofia. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food fully supports this initiative, not only because it believes it is leading for the development of a parallel local agricultural sector, alternative to the established agricultural practices with an infinitely long supply chain, but also because inspectors from the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) monitor and guarantee the quality of the private farmers' products. All farmers selling at the markets are registered under the Ordinance on Direct Sales (Ordinance 26 of the MAF), which guarantees compliance with sanitary-hygienic and veterinary standards.

The Common Agricultural Policy of the EU (CAP) and Short Food Supply Chains

The Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 provides an opportunity for the creation of short food supply chains, with support provided under Priority 3: Promoting food chain organization and risk management in agriculture. The draft of the new Rural Development Regulation, with the provision in Article 36, creates the possibility for programming measures or a package of activities to promote and cooperate on short supply chains and local markets.

Clean Food

The mission of the Hrankoop farmers' markets is to provide access to clean food, which means that a large part of the producers are organically certified and earn their livelihood entirely through agriculture. The main principle of the markets is the presence of small family farms offering only their own produce or products from their neighboring farms or cooperating with those who cannot be present at the market. Promoting a sustainable lifestyle is an integral part of the pursuit of healthy eating, which is why at every organized market there is also a place for eco-workshops, which, using educational methods, engage children and adults in the world of small family farms.

Farmers' Markets Sofia

The Roman Wall - every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At Hrankoop markets, you can find regional diversity of fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, honey, bee products, dairy products, bread, and wine. More information at www.pazari.hrankoop.com and www.hrankoop.com

Ivan Vazov - every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Mladost 1 - every Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the REYA shopping complex - inner courtyard.

Farmers' Market "Borovo" - every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Market in Borovo, the intersection of "Todor Kableshkov" Blvd. and "Gen. Stefan Toshev" St., at the last stop of trolleybus No. 9.

This market is realized thanks to the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) within the project "For the Balkans and the People" and provides an opportunity for the sale of quality and clean products produced in high-mountain farms from the Central and Western Balkans, which are part of Natura 2000. The livestock products at the "Borovo" farmers' market also have added value for nature because they are raised extensively – with free grazing – and thus help maintain valuable meadows and pastures, which are home to rare species such as the Eastern Imperial Eagle and the Red-backed Shrike.

Hrankoop Farmers' Market Plovdiv - every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., "Total Sport" sports complex, Plovdiv

Hrankoop Farmers' Market Varna - every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Mall Varna, floor -2

Hrankoop Farmers' Market Chayka - Varna, Chayka district, every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Hrankoop Farmers' Market Burgas - every Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at "SLAVEYKOVOTO PAZARCHE" the intersection of "Saedinenie" St. and "Tsar Simeon I" St. (former "Republikanska")

Farmers' Market Stara Zagora - every Friday from 3:00 p.m. in the section designated for flower sales at the central city market in the regional city. The market is organized by the Stara Zagora Municipality.

https://www.facebook.com/fermerski.pazar.stara.zagora/

Farmers' Market Ruse - usually held on Saturday at the Central Municipal Market in Ruse. The market is not scheduled for every week, so for an exact time and date, you can seek information from their website.

Farmers-Market-RUSE