The HCM City Department of Agriculture and Rural Development opened a safe farm produce market at the District 2 Children’s Cultural House on Friday, the seventh in the city.

Each market, held on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays, has 20-30 co-operatives and farms taking part and selling fruits and vegetables, poultry, pork and seafood.

Around 500-700 people shop at each market every week, it said, adding that exhibitors also sign supply agreements with canteens and restaurants.

According to the department, only products with food safety certificates such as VietGap and GlobalGap can take part.

The fair organisers regularly check the quality of produce and randomly test fruit and vegetable samples for plant protection residues, it said.

The department opened the first market in August 2016 at Dong Ho Restaurant in District 10.

The other five markets are at Le Van Tam Park in District 1; Le Thi Rieng Cultural Park in District 10; Tan Binh District Sport and Cultural Centre; Quarter 6, Street No 19, in Binh Tan District’s Binh Tri Dong B Ward; and Binh Phu Park in District 6.

According to the department, the markets are meant to help producers of safe farm products market and sell their products and enable consumers to buy safe products with clear origins. — VNS