With more and more consumers aware of the importance of eating healthily, farmers markets are playing an increasingly important role in helping to resolve the country’s non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
One of the most popular with consumers is Muban Chombueng Rajabhat University (MCRU) Farmers Market in Ratchaburi.
“Here, you are spoiled for choice. We have different types of homegrown fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices, plus certified organic foods. We also have farm-processed foods that are low in sugar and sodium."
"Many of them contain no added sugar at all. Others are low-fat foods. Cutting back on sugar, sodium and fat in your diet can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases,” said Rev Fr Asst Prof Wuttichai Ongnawa, who manages the MCRU’s Farmers Market project.
According to him, organic produce in the market is certified by Organic Thailand, the official organic label of the Department of Agriculture under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand.
And recipes for food products are created with the help of the university’s experts to ensure they are safe and healthy.
A tool for healthy food access
Located in Ratchaburi’s Chombueng District, the farmer market is set up in the vicinity of the university, close to the MCRU stadium, best known as a venue for the Chombueng Marathon, one of Thailand’s oldest marathon events.
Started in 2024, the MCRU’s Saturday Farmers Market project is part of the ‘Agri-Food Systems’ project initiated by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), which is intended to create healthy communities through organic farming, ensure that the locals receive safe and healthy foods, and help tackle the country’s health issues including NCDs.
Prapasri Boonwiset, a member of ThaiHealth’s committee and chairman of the Plan Executive Committee, noted that the ThaiHealth has worked with its partners to develop farmers markets in many provinces in a bid to create a network of community food systems that support the sustainable supply of safe, nutritious and accessible produce and food products.
“Farmers markets are more than just community centers and spaces for learning and health promotion activities. They are now helping to tackle the country’s health issues including NCDs, increase food security and promote sustainable well-being."
"Above all, the markets could help reduce the country’s health care costs,” Prapasri told the media at a special event to mark the second anniversary’s celebration of the MCRU’s Farmers Market.
NCDs, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, were the leading cause of death in Thailand in 2024.
The diseases killed nearly 400,000 Thais, responsible for 76 per cent of all deaths. The diseases cost the Thai government up to US$ 4.4 billion annually.
The main risk factors contributing to NCDs among Thais are unhealthy diets, too little physical activity, the harmful use of tobacco, alcohol abuse and stress.
An unhealthy diet is commonly characterized by a high consumption of added sugars, unhealthy fat and salt and low consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Today, over 80 farmers markets are held in 19 provinces including Ratchaburi, with more than 900 markets offering safe, healthy foods nationwide.
Beyond the ordinary
The farmers market project was first introduced to Ratchaburi’s Suan Phueng District in 2015 and has expanded to cover many districts including Bang Phae, Ban Pong, Muang, and Chombueng.
They are set up in many locations such as hospitals, schools and community centers, including Suanphueng Hospital, Bang Phae Hospital and Darunaratchaburi Witaed Suksa School.
The MCRU’s Farmers Market project was set up by a network of health-conscious individuals last year.
Starting small with just a few vendors, the market quickly grew into a bustling community center in Chombuang District.
This year, over 90 farmers and local food producers set up stalls every Saturday to transform an ordinary space into an extraordinary venue, blessed with good food, live music, organic food talks, neighborhood spirit, and caring people.
And while shopping for fresh food, food products and handicrafts made by inmates of Ratchaburi Central Prison, you can take a break to give your feet and legs a rest and enjoy a massage given by the blind.
Behind the physical marketplace, the project offers a mobile truck service in Ban Pong District. It stops in several locations to offer a variety of foods from fresh veggies to ready-to-eat meals and Thai desserts.
Wuttichai noted that the market operates through collaboration rather than competition, which guarantees the survival of vendors, while allowing consumers to make the most of their choices.
“Our market is a non-competition venue for all vendors. We set strict rules for them. They are not allowed to sell the same types of food products, except for agricultural produce. That’s great for consumers. There is a lot of stuff for them to choose from,” he said.
Less sugar please
Vendor Saksit Wirunphuti, who provides the market’s food truck service, said the drinks he offers, from kale juice to pineapple juice and pandanus leaf juice and from Aloe Vera juice to corn milk and Chrysanthemum tea (nam gek huey) have low sugar content. Some are sugar free.
“We have low, very low and no sugar added drinks. They contain less than 5% of the daily value for added sugars per serving,” he said, adding that the MCRU’s Faculty of Science and
Technology, the Department of Food Science helps him design healthy drink recipes.
As a general rule, 5% daily value or less of added sugars per serving is considered low.
In addition to the drinks, he offers snacks like steamed pumpkin, steamed buns stuffed with pumpkin, steamed pumpkin cakes, pandan coconut jelly, banana cakes and chewy banana sticks, all less sweet.
“Kids dislike veggies and fruits. So, we’ve come up with some healthy snacks to get them and those who are not keen on veggies excited about eating plants,” he said.
Much of the produce used as ingredients for snacks and drinks is grown in his family’s garden located in Suan Phueng District.
They are organic foods which are grown without the use of chemical pesticides. His family’s organic farming operations and produce have been certified by Organic Thailand.
Saksit said his family has switched to organic production due to bad reactions to pesticide. Some of his family members suffer health problems, including skin diseases, after long exposure to chemical use in traditional farming.
“We don’t want our family exposed to the chemicals. Going organic can keep people safe,” he said.
Stopping overconsumption of salt
Teacher Boonyarat Limtaropas, 59, meanwhile, prepares the Korean side dish of kimchi. The fermented vegetable usually contains cabbage, sugar, salt and seasonings like garlic, ginger, onions, herbs and Korean chili peppers.
But her version doesn’t have sugar, sodium or starch, making the dish healthier. To add layers of flavors, she also combines fresh pineapple into the recipe.
“We call the dish Keto Kimchi. It’s sugar-and sodium-free and low in carbs. Along with vitamins, minerals and fiber, it also has natural probiotic bacteria. Your gut will thank you for adding it to your diet,” she said.
Boonyarat also offers seasonal pickles. She makes pickled flower buds of Indian trumpet plants (pheka) that grow in her garden to keep them from going to waste. The plants are now flowering and bountiful.
“The plant’s tender buds are usually eaten. But most people are turned off by the bitter taste. I pickle them to make them tastier. My version is not too tangy and sweet. They are super crispy when refrigerated."
"If you are looking for vegetables to pair with fried fish and spicy dipping sauce, the pickle is just the thing for a healthy side dish. Once you’ve tried it, you’re hooked,” she said.
Boonyarat also makes homemade healthy jelly gummies for kids. They are made with real fruit and vegetables including kale, lemon, ginger and roselle for a colorful, naturally sweet snacks.
“They are chewy, sticky and tasty. Kids love them, especially the roselle version,” she said.
Becoming a vendor at the farmers market is also paving her path to retirement and quality of life.
She’s learning to cook new nutritious recipes that highlight veggies and other plant foods for sale.
“I will be able to make extra income after retirement. The MCRU’s Farmers Market is more than just an ordinary local marketplace, it’s a true source of income for the locals,” Boonyarat said.
Photo courtesy of Muban Chombueng Rajabhat University (MCRU) Farmers Market
