Greetings from Athens!

This week, I wanted to talk to you about one of the ways you get fresh food here. It's a pretty interesting model and would make a massive difference in large cities in the US that face "food deserts." I mentioned it last weekend but wasn't able to attend one until this week.

Each week, every neighborhood in the city has an event called a "laiki." Every neighborhood has a prescribed day on which the laiki occurs and that's when and where most locals buy the bulk of their food.

I walked a mere block from my apartment to the sight of bright orange tents as far down the street as the eye could see. I found all sorts of goods being sold. There were a handful of booths with household goods, socks, and underwear. But 90% of them were bursting with food.

All the produce is grown right here in Greece, and all the fish are caught within a day by Greek fishermen. I saw fruits, vegetables, olives, spices, honey, flowers, and all manner of seafood, such as octopus, fish, and crustaceans.

Everything was beautifully displayed, and the fresh, spicy, green scent filled your nose. It was a feast for the senses. Some vendors carried on a musical-sounding patter to attract customers. Prices are clearly marked but deals can be made if you're buying in quantity. It's cash-only at most booths.

I saw people from all walks of life at the laiki. Some folks had small carts for bringing home their goods, and others used backpacks. From young to old, everyone in the neighborhood visits the laiki.

It's interesting to note that the produce at the grocery store is vastly inferior to the food at the laiki. Much of it is imported and it lacks the color and flavor of these fresh-grown local goods. The store is also far, far more expensive.

I spent less than ten Euros (about $12 USD) and got oranges still attached to the stem, early strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, a couple of large potatoes, garlic, and onion. The quality was like eating it fresh from my own garden. Now that I've gotten a handle on how this works, I'll be able to pick up a bit more next week.

If we did this in the US, it would be a win for everyone: small farmers would be able to make more money, urban residents would be able to access high quality food at a reasonable price, and there'd be health and economic benefits galore.

I'll leave you with this rooftop view of the city on a beautiful night last week. It was cloudy and starry all at once, and there was a brilliant moon casting her glow over the sky.

Have a wonderful week!

Love,
Daisy