Farmers markets are an integral part of the urban/farm linkage and have continued to rise in popularity, mostly due to the growing consumer interest in obtaining fresh and organic products directly from the farm. The Khalis Food Market allows consumers to have access to locally grown, farm fresh produce. With an emphasis on preservative and pesticide free foods, find locally grown healthy options at this first of its kind farmers market in Pakistan.
The Khalis Food Market is Pakistan’s first quality whole foods market providing an exciting platform for fresh, organic and quality cottage industry food in an urban setting. Presently very little information regarding the availability of organic and whole foods reaches those consumers interested in buying such products on a regular basis. In fact the potential end user is almost entirely in the dark as to whether there are healthier and high quality alternative food options available in Lahore and grown locally.
Our aim with The Khalis Food Market is to bring producers of whole foods, organic vegetables, fruits, grains, hormone free dairy products, poultry, fish, baked items and much more together in one venue on a regular basis. This also includes free range and ‘desi’. With stalls covering various small industry products, home grown items and live cooking, The Khalis Food Market is a new concept in an evolving food industry in Pakistan.
What do consumers get out of it?
Consumers will, for the first time in Lahore and Islamabad, be given the opportunity to make healthy food choices with the emphasis on buying from and supporting their local farmers and quality food producers. With various stall holders working towards promoting their products and creating awareness, consumers who are looking to expand their food knowledge-base as well as cooking and eating with pure unadulterated produce will gain the most.
Benefits:
~ A diverse and quality selection of food products and fresh produce.
~ All vendors will be vetted to ensure they understand the aims of The Khalis Food Market and its core beliefs.
~ Instill a sense of community very much needed in our cities. Good food and good health as a uniting force.
~ A family day out with activities for kids, cookery demonstrations, food tastings as well as fresh cooked food for sale (some restaurants will also be represented at The Khalis Food Market).
~ A regular hub for food lovers who believe in spending more for quality and health.
History
Khalis Food Market started as a concept in late March 2013 / Early April 2014 by its Founder Rizwan Naeem. It was something new and much needed to beat the giant influx of fast food chains and other processed foods in the market place. Everyday food was being tainted with chemicals, fresh produce being washed with gutter water were just a couple of the instigators to do something different. With the concept of the store as the ground stone, the market concept was developed. Along with an ex-partner, the first market happened within a month on the 28th of April at Greens Hall on MM Alam Road. Post the third market in October 2013, Rizwan Naeem has done over 12 markets in Lahore in different venues. TNS-DHA, Greens Hall, T Block Park Gulberg, Aslam Riaz Park Gulberg and Royal Palm Country club have been the venues so far, with the most recent at Royal Palm on the 15th of November.
Stalls and Participants:
The first market had 26 stalls and the last market had 56 stalls. The participants are varied and occassionally change from market to market. Existing farmers, growers and providers of khalis veggies and other raw items regulary participate. The market has the following criteria for participation,
o Preference is given in the following order
1. Vegetables, produce, fruits, nuts, dairy, poultry and breads
2. Home made items with self grown ingredients, e.g. Sauces, Pickles etc.
3. Home made food items, ready to consume or take away
4. Live cooking stations with ready to consume food
5. Baking, including but not limited to items like lasagna, cakes, cupcakes, breads… etc.
6. Non food items including but not limited to jewelry, clothing and furniture
Rizwan Naeem has made sure that organic practices are put into place for most of the raw item providers by visiting farms and assessing their agriculture processes and practices. The market has had PhD students from Germany come in and visit farms with Rizwan Naeem to ensure quality and hygiene in products.
