Feria Verde, an upmarket version of the Feria del Agricultor (Farmers Market) tradition of Costa Rica, is coming to Ciudad Colon, located just outside the western suburbs of San Jose.

By Jill Rutenberg

The Feria Verde and Organic Market is deliciously off and running on the west side of town with Tuesday’s opening of the organic market in Ciudad Colon. “It’s about time. We are thrilled to finally have the Ferria so close by,” said one shopper interviewed by Jill Rutenberg from AmaTierra Retreat & Wellness Center in nearby Turrubares. The Organic Market, which is run by a handful of dedicated, holistic-minded young people, is an off-shoot of a popular street market held every Saturday since 2010 in Barrio Aranjuez.

Shoppers can trust that vendors are screened to ensure that the fruits, vegetables, and virtually all items sold at the market comply with organic growers’ guidelines. Tuesday’s Feria attracts hundreds of shoppers as more and more Costa Ricans and expats strive to avoid fruits and vegetables cultivated in farms where pesticides are used, which is unfortunately the norm in Costa Rica.

What will you find at Feria Verde if you go next Tuesday? Fresh-picked beautiful produce, specialty cheeses (the goat gorgonzola and aged raclette are amazing), organic gluten-free flours, lovely spice mixes, local honey, breads and pastries to rival any US health food store, plants for your garden, jams, pestos, and unique handcrafted gifts.

Kudos to the organizers for helping us stay healthy on the western front. See you next Tuesday, 3-9 pm

Jill Ruttenberg is owner/wellness director of AmaTierra Retreat & Wellness Center in Turrubares, where organic, healthy foods are served.Call for special seasonal rates for Costa Rica residents 2419-0110.