Words by: Mary Davis
Markets of the World
A young American woman steps out of her car and walks into her local Walmart. She is on the hunt for ingredients to make a pasta dinner for her friends. She has a plethora of options–three types of whole tomatoes, organic tomato sauces,low-sodium sauces, and GMO-free sauces. Nearly an entire aisle of pasta; whole wheat, white, egg, soy and edamame noodles, in elbows, wheels and bowties. A young woman in Italy walks down a small side street to a bustling neighborhood in Rome. Numerous clubs, bars and cafes line the streets. Ancient stone archways stand among terra cotta buildings in the heart of the capital city. Vendors hawk vegetables still tinged with black soil and people lean on bars, chatting and sipping espresso. The young woman knows she must arrive early in order to have the best pick of the day’s produce, whatever it may be on that particular morning. In Nice, France, flowers and food abound in a street market surrounded by restaurants and cafes. On a harbor in the south of Helsinki, Finland, fresh fish, moose, and bear meat are sold alongside handmade chocolates. What we consider the simple act of “getting groceries” can vary dramatically across the globe. From country to country, food holds an important yet fluid place in society. Even in Central Iowa, there are differences in how and where we make our food selections. One way to explore the world is through its food markets. We can even learn a bit about what’s available in our own backyard…
Italy “Italy” and “food” may as well be synonymous, as we frequently associate one with the other. Several food markets in Italy have been featured in food and travel magazines, and are central to some of Iowa State’s study-abroad trips. One well-known market abides in the heart of Sicily, Italy, in the side streets surrounding the Piazza San Dominicano. An ancient and storied open-air market, the name, “La Vucciria,” translates to “hubbub”, which is an accurate description of this busy market that makes its appearance every spring. Beginning at 4 a.m. Monday through Friday, fisherman tout their daily catches between stalls packed with fresh vegetables, mushrooms and fruit. Specks of soil still cling to bunches of oregano. These foods may not pass the cleanliness inspection of a chain supermarket, but their freshness cannot compare. By 6 a.m., the street is packed with locals and their steadily filling baskets as they jostle and bargain to select what will eventually become their breakfast, lunch and dinner for the day. One study-abroad opportunity offered at Iowa State, “For the Love of Italy and Food,” travels to two other well-known Italian, open-air markets, Testaccio and Trastevere. Both are neighborhoods in the heart of Rome that host bustling markets throughout the spring, summer and early fall. The most common features of all these Italian markets are their fresh produce and constant chatter as buyers bargain for the price of the day. 43
