Weekly Markets in Munich

The Weekly Markets in Munich, Germany, are an important type of city's food supply. The population of Munich is provided with an entire range of fresh groceries by 41 weekly markets, including farmers’ markets and organic-food markets on a daily basis. These markets can be found all over Munich.

History

The permanent food markets, such as Viktualienmarkt, were readily accepted by the people of Munich and have ever since played an important role in Munich’s supply network. This prompted the idea of creating food markets in districts without such a good network. As it was too expensive to maintain permanent food markets, the city authorities agreed that these new markets were to take place once or twice a week for a few hours or an entire day. The markets were to be supplied by mobile producers who would provide the people of Munich with groceries, flowers and non-food products.20 May, 1969: The first weekly market was opened in Plettstraße (Neuperlach). Markets in Berner Straße (Fürstenried-Ost), Wellenkampstraße (Hasenbergl) and Graubündener Straße (Fürstenried-West) were opened in the following days. Ever since the markets have been flourishing and have been very well accepted by the people in the neighbourhood.1970: The markets’ trial year went down well with Munich’s population and the city took over the market administration. Because of its long-term experience with permanent food markets, responsibility was handed over to the administration of the Großmarkthalle (Great Market Hall).1989: The city committee decided to ring in an innovation for Munich’s weekly markets. With the beginning of spring 1989, farmers’ markets were to take place – first for a test period – under the patronage of the association of Munich’s weekly markets. In keeping with the close ties connecting the city of Munich and the surrounding rural districts, it seemed obvious and natural to enable farmers to display and sell their regional products on markets in the city. Furthermore, small farmers cannot leave their farms unattended to sell their produce on markets on a daily basis in contrast to professional market vendors. Responsible for this new market concept is the Bauernmarkt München e. V. (Munich’s Farmers Market Registered Society) founded by the Bavarian Farmers’ Organisation. In contrast to professional market vendors, stall-holders on farmers’ markets – among other things – have to be small farmers and members of the Bauernmarkt München e. V.1996: Munich’s first weekly organic market was opened on Pfanzeltplatz (Perlach). All produce on this market complies with the regulations for organic farming. Thus the altered demands of today’s consumers have been taken into account. Usually organic food markets are smaller than conventional weekly markets because each organic farmer offers a wider range of products than the highly specialised market vendors on conventional markets.

Administration

The Weekly Markets in Munich are organized by the Wholesale Market Munich. The Wholesale Market Munich, together with Viktualienmarkt, Elisabethmarkt, Pasing Viktualienmarkt, Wiener Markt and the Weekly Markets in Munich is a municipal company run by the City of Munich.

ee also

*List of farmers' markets

External links

* [http://www.muenchen.de/Rathaus/kom/grossmarkth/womarkt/164170/woma_englisch.html Homepage]