Larissa, the heart of the Thessalian plain, has not only rich agricultural production but also authentic street markets, where small producers offer their products directly to consumers. Locality is highlighted in these markets, which not only attempts to strengthen the local economy but also promotes a healthy, sustainable lifestyle.

The local producers of Larissa bring to the public markets the products they produce with care and passion. Fresh fruits and vegetables from the prefecture’s fields, laid out on the stalls, make it possible to find whatever… you love!

Freshly harvested products from the Thessalian plain do not need long transport, reducing the environmental footprint. At the same time, they promote seasonality, a practice that connects our diet with the cycle of nature.

Lettuce full of juices from Damasi, beets from Glavkis, pomegranates, persimmons and many other super foods, the so-called super foods, from Tyrnavos, garlic from Platykambos, apples from Agia and a multitude of other products, reach the public market from small producers full of passion who sell them themselves, while several at their stalls offer selected products of their small production from their bahtshes.

This immediacy ensures freshness, taste and nutritional value that are hard to find elsewhere. Selling directly from producer to consumer also creates a unique relationship of trust. That is why Vassiliki Theocharoulis, an outdoor producer from the Larissa Vineyard, speaking to APE-MPE, explains what makes the products of small producers different from the others.

“Each product that is sold and is cut on the same day, is full of flavor and aromas that testify to the quality of the Thessalian land” she pointed out characteristically, while noting that both she and several other producers are in their fields all year round, without produce products in greenhouses.

“Products that are cut on the same day retain their nutrients and taste, making vegetables preferred by consumers over others,” Ms. Theocharoulis to the Athenian and Macedonian News Agency, adding that “as many producers as we have products, which we take care of from the root, we know that deliciousness and freshness are these characteristics that make them stand out”.

For his part, the president of the People’s Markets of Larissa, Thanasis Pourikas, speaking to APE-MPE, emphasized that the region of the prefecture of Larissa has the potential to produce a wide range of products and a multitude of horticultural products, and that one can find them in a very good prices in the street markets.

He also referred to the financial difficulties faced by producers due to the reduction in the purchasing power of consumers, stressing on the other hand “that prices remain at a satisfactory level”.

Among other things, he referred to the fact that the consumer can find high quality products, and especially a wide variety, as well as a huge range of fresh vegetables and fruits of the season, from local producers in the prefecture.

Finally, referring to the sufficiency of the products in this period in the public markets, he said that it is 50-50, due to the high temperatures that prevailed in the previous period.

“The public markets are the consumer’s refuge to find a wide variety of products. Despite the increased cost of production and despite climate change, we insist on keeping the public markets open, offering an abundance of local products to our consumers”, concluded Mr. A cigar.