Berry growers from both sides of the Nistru River came together for the second agro-gastronomic “Summer Berry Fair” this year in the park of the Metropolitan Cathedral in central Chisinau on July 22. The fair featured blueberries, blackberries, goji berries, chokeberries and grapes. The visitors could taste different berry desserts and drinks, IPN reports.
The growers had personalized stalls showing the locality from which the berries were brought. The berries were sold in plastic containers with the name of the producer on them. The national berries in such containers are also available from supermarkets. Those who cultivate season berries say a lot of work is done, but this is worth the effort.
Producer Aneta Ganenco said she came to the fair not only with fresh chokeberries, but also with different jams, made from pine buds, bitter cherries, red gooseberry. “We make them in Ialoveni and sell them in supermarkets in Chisinau. We took part in both of the editions this year. The prices are lower as there is no intermediary between the producers and buyers,” she stated.
Visitor Nadejda Ungureanu said she bought by a little amount of all the displayed berries so as to store them cold and give them to their children to eat in winter. The prices are reasonable if taking into account the work done by the producers to grow the berries.
Visitor Lilia Duca said she bought grapes for the first time this year and also goji berries. The prices are slightly, but reasonably higher.
The event organizers suggest transforming Moldova’s berries into a country brand so that the buyers could choose local organic products. Nata Albot, founder of Klumea Association that organizes the event, said the interest in locally grown berries is on the rise. “We should not only increase consumption of local products, but should also help the people make a difference between our products and similar products brought from abroad, many of which are smuggled. It is known that our berries are sold not only at the market. They can be found in supermarkets, where they are packed correctly and are kept at appropriate temperatures after being certified. These things are important when it is about food,” stated Nata Albot.
The fair involved 15 producers that came from a number of regions of the country. In Moldova, there are over 11 types of berries that are cultivate by more than 700 local producers.
The third edition of “Summer Berry Fair” will take place on August 12.
