Fresh and safe

Sophie Karasimou, 30, who lives in New York City, said she enjoys visiting the Union Square Green Market in Manhattan, and always buys food.

"The produce comes directly from the farm, and is fresh and safe. The vegetables and fruit may not look that good, but they taste great," she said.

Karamisou added that she can easily meet her daily needs at the market, be they freshly picked fruit and vegetables, meat, award-winning farmstead cheeses, a wide variety plants and cut flowers, or handmade soap and shampoo.

"And you can always bargain with the sellers, which you can never do in a supermarket," she added.

During peak season, the Union Square Green Market can accommodate more than 140 farmers, fish sellers and bakers who sell their products from morning to evening every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

The venue, which opened in 1976 with just a few farmers, has since become a well-known and popular site, not only for residents and producers to buy and sell, but also for travelers to experience the local culture.

"Even if I don't need to buy anything, I still like to spend some time hanging out there, tasting the freshly made bread or sausages, or talking to the farmers for a while," Karamisou said. "I'm glad we have such a market in the city. It has also become a place for me to relax."