Slow Food Festival was held at Menteşe Kurşunlu Square

Slow Food Muğla Earth Market was held at the historic Kurşunlu Square in the Menteşe district. This time, the market was not only a place for shopping but also a venue for festive events, where natural products produced under the motto 'Good, Clean, Fair Food' met with consumers. Additionally, free ashura was served to citizens due to Ashura Day.

Gürkan Tetik, spokesperson for Slow Food Muğla, commented on the opening of the market and activities, stating that they bring producers and consumers together with the support of local institutions. Highlighting the importance of the Slow Food movement especially for future generations, Tetik said, “Today, as Slow Food Muğla Earth Market, we opened our market at Kurşunlu Square. Our producers came here and prepared their products related to Good, Clean, and Fair Food. We are here with the support of our institutions. Slow Food is of course very important. Why is it important? It’s about correct nutrition for our youth and children; products grown from ancestral seeds without chemical pesticides and fertilizers, plastic-free, and most importantly, a market where small-scale producers can directly contact and sell their own products to customers. In this respect, it is very valuable.”

“Zero pesticide, full trust”

Tetik emphasized that products undergo strict inspection and offer a strong alternative to Fast Food habits, stating, “It is very valuable that products do not contain any preservative chemicals or pesticides and are monitored by the market’s internal inspection mechanism for future generations to live healthy lives. This is a work focusing on helping young people acquire healthy eating habits instead of fast-consumed, quickly prepared fast food products containing preservatives.”

‘Slow farm’ era in Muğla

Announcing the growing return to natural in Muğla and the increasing number of ‘Slow Farms’, Gürkan Tetik said, “Of course, besides Slow Food Earth Market producers, we have ‘Slow Farms’ which are slow farms. Our producers are also here. Currently, at least 10 of our producers in Muğla have become Slow Farms. These producers harvest their seasonal products themselves and then bring them here to meet consumers.”

Art, book and children’s workshops

Tetik said the market this week took on the concept of a festive atmosphere and described other activities in the market area as follows: “This time our earth market is passing in a festive mood. Next to our market, we have an art painting exhibition prepared with products obtained from recycling. At the same time, we bring second-hand books and antiquarian books together with consumers under the slogan ‘let’s not throw away books.’ Visitors can find and buy read books and second-hand books here. We also have music events; right now a young friend is giving a nice mini concert here.”

Free ashura distribution and natural workshops

Noting that Ashura Day is also celebrated together in the market area, Tetik concluded, “Due to Ashura Day this week, a joint ashura event was held here a little while ago. The prepared ashura was distributed free of charge to our consumers, and we are very happy about this. We did not forget our children either; children’s workshops were held for them. With many activities such as printing workshops using products obtained from completely natural dyes and face painting workshops currently ongoing, we want to enliven our area with a festive atmosphere.”