Two new fresh produce markets opened in Iasi city, in Pacurari and Tatarasi neighbourhoods at the beginning of August, giving farmers a much-needed opportunity to sell their produce at key locations twice a week without paying fees and commissions on goods sold.

On the first day, 20 farmers marketed their cheese and yoghurt, eggs, vegetables, honey, fruit and other traditional produce, much to the delight of local residents.

'I think this idea is wonderful. It has a double advantage – the farmer now has a place to sell his produce and the buyer can get a better price because he buys directly from the producers, skipping any intermediaries', said Mihai, who lives near the market in Tatarasi.

The idea for this initiative was born out of an economical development project developed by World Vision Romania's Iasi Area Development Programme, in five rural communities in Iasi County aimed at raising living standards in rural communities by encouraging more efficient and productive agriculture and supporting small businesses.

In the longer term, World Vision hopes that grassroots initiatives like this will help families earn a sustainable income and provide for their children.

'I am thrilled that we finally managed to open these markets. We have had wonderful collaboration with local authorities. They embraced this initiative and helped us all the way. We are now working together to obtain producers certificates and authorizations for more than 40 people to sell their produce. Without these papers and due to the new EU regulations, they will not be able to sell their produce. And for many of them this is the only source of income', said Ms Tita, World Vision Romania Project Coordinator.

'As jobs are scarce in rural areas, people usually live on what ever they can sell – milk and cheese from their cows, eggs from their chickens, vegetables and fruit from their gardens and orchards. It would be a tragedy for them to lose these resources', she added.

The project, part of a collaboration protocol called 'Partnership and continuity for Romanian tradition', was successfully tested at the beginning of June when local authorities and World Vision organised an exhibition where nearly 40 farmers could present their traditional produce and show the public the high quality and value of traditional local specialties.

'We now hope that, with the support of the local media, more and more people in Iasi city will know about and choose these traditional markets over the newborn super and hyper markets that have sprung up in our city. The local produce is more natural and even cheaper', explained Ms.Tita.

Since Romania's accession into the EU, the country and its people, particularly farmers are coming to terms with new regulations and heightened competition and at the same time the need to secure funds for new community projects– three key challenges that World Vision is working with community groups to manage and harness for their own benefit.

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