SINGAPORE, August 13 — Freshly harvested local produce, seasonal favourites and artisanal goodies — if these tickle your fancy, skip the supermarkets and head straight to a farmers’ market. Usually intimate, with a select group of vendors, these markets offer a refreshing change from the usual grocery shopping experience.

And judging by the growing number of markets popping up every weekend — a trend which has been increasingly popular the last two years — customers are lapping it up. "With Singaporeans becoming increasingly well-travelled and more expats becoming aware of such markets, the turnout has definitely increased,” observed Yen Siang Leong of The Real Food Market, which brings artisanal foods such as extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil and wine jellies direct from Italy to farmers’ markets such as the one organised at Loewen Gardens.

Kerbside Gourmet makes it appearance at Social Market held at Open Farm Community.

Customers also enjoy the varieties found at these markets. "The product offerings at farmers’ markets tend to be things that are unbranded, ‘indie’, personalised and honest, made from craftsmen,” shared Luan Ee, the founder of food truck Kerbside Gourmet that makes a regular appearance at farmers’ markets such as Open Farm Community’s Social Market. "At the food truck, we produce artisanal, soul food at drive-through prices — we have a pea puree with sous vide egg and olive dust at S$15 (RM44.80). It is a dish that could be priced at a fine dining restaurant at S$40.”

Besides buying food at a possible steal, simply soaking up the atmosphere is an enjoyable way to spend the weekend. And here are some of the upcoming ones you can visit.

You are no longer limited to just supermarkets with farmers markets sprouting in Singapore.

Central Singapore CDC’s Farmers’ Markets

These pop-up-style markets make appearances at various locations in the Central Singapore District, each time featuring a specially curated list of vendors. Alongside the fresh produce and imported favourites such as organic Japanese condiments, live cooking demos and outdoor movie screenings make for a unique experience.

Upcoming CDC Farmers’ Markets:

August 14, 9am to 1pm. Farmers’ Market @ Bishan East-Thomson, held at the open field opposite Bishan Circle Line Station.

September 10, 7pm to 9.30pm. Farmers’ Market @ Buona Vista, at Commonwealth Hart Court, held opposite 116 Commonwealth Crescent.

September 24, 9am to 1pm. Farmers’ Market @ Ci Yuan, held at the Ci Yuan Community Club.

Kranji Countryside Farmers’ Market

For produce direct from Singaporean farms, this is the place to go to — the focus here is largely on locally harvested goods. The market also offers a variety of home-made local favourites such as otah, roast pork, tropical jams and nut butters. The market is held every quarterly.

Fresh vegetables from local farms sold at Kranji Countryside Market, which is held every quarterly. — TODAY pic

For upcoming dates, visit fb.com/farmersmarketsg.

Farmers’ Market at Loewen Gardens

Hosted by The Pantry, this is probably one of the longest-standing farmers’ markets (it has been around since 2010). Holding one market a month on a Saturday, offerings vary from month to month, so customers can expect something new each time. The upcoming market features fresh organic vegetables from Nepal, olive oil, coffee, fresh bread, wine, honey, jams, chutneys and more. Bring the family, as there are kid-friendly activities including face-painting, a playground and a trampoline.

August 20, 9am to 2pm.

Open Farm Community’s Social Market

Held every month, the restaurant’s market goes beyond produce to include a variety of entertainment activities — think outdoor yoga, workshops and artsy handmade products for sale. As for the produce itself, expect a wide variety of fresh herbs, vegetables, meats, seafood and dairy products.

For upcoming dates, visit fb.com/openfarmcommunity and Instagram @openfarmcommunity. The market is typically open from 10am to 4pm at Open Farm Community, 130E Minden Road. — TODAY