LIFE's video: Good Market event in Colombo From Saturday visitsrilanka

@goodmarket.lanka "Good Market is a curated platform for social enterprises, responsible businesses, and changemakers. We're working together to create a 21st century economy that is good for people and good for the planet. Within Sri Lanka, Good Market coordinates a weekly market event and organic and natural food shops in Colombo and Battaramulla. The Saturday Good Market at the Colombo Racecourse features 70 to 90 Good Market approved vendors with fresh organic fruits and vegetables, natural food and snacks, ethical fashion, toys, and housewares, non-toxic body, home and garden supplies, massage, live music, kids programs & more." Visit the Good Market in Colombo The Good Market is a unique market place in Colombo focusing mainly on quality local and organic produce as well as a range of other local products. With the catchy theme of “good for the planet, good for the country, and good for you” the market beckons the health and eco-conscious along with the socially responsible. Good market takes place weekly at the Race Course Grounds in Colombo while they also have a permanent shop at the grounds of Lakpahana, a traditional handicraft store located at 14, Reid Avenue in Colombo. The weekly market places are held every Saturday from 10 am - 8 pm in the Nuga Tree Car Park next to the Colombo Race Course grounds. The market features a large number of stalls selling organic produce, traditional ayurvedic products, garden supplies, non-toxic house wares, books and fair trade handicrafts. The local produce at the Good market goes through heavy screening to ensure the all produce on sale is in fact organic. Likewise the social enterprise also gives prominence to fair trade and features a wide range of traditional craft products by local artisans. The market place takes the form of a lively festival with an array of health food stalls where visitors can sample traditional Sri Lankan food while being entertained by live music. The market also features magicians, live portrait artists, henna tattoo artists and even massage therapists. Good market is also the place to find rare products in Sri Lanka such as locally made granola, wax coated cheeses, organic teas, salted butter caramel, sun dried tomatoes, macadamia oil, coconut flour, vanilla beans and many more. The enterprise also runs a shop in Colombo. It is open from 8.00 am – 8.00 pm throughout the week and offers customers a selection of products from their weekly market places such as organic fruits, vegetables, sauces, chutneys, canned goods, ice cream, gluten free food products and other essentials. Like the products at the market place the items for sale at the shop are strictly organic and cater to the health conscious. While slightly highly priced than regular supermarkets in Colombo the enterprise ensures customers the products are natural and are also pesticide free. The shop also has three health food counters by run the Good market enterprise. While the café menu serves tofu, salads, gluten-free brownies, vegan cookies and cakes, Life Food serves fruit juices and smoothies as well as wraps, fruit salads and noodles. The Brown Bean Coffee counter sells coffees, milkshakes and mochas. On a lazy Saturday morning, you might be tempted to head out into Colombo and get some shopping done. The only question is where exactly you should head to. Now, there are plenty of options to choose from in this busy metropolis, but if you’re looking for fresh, organic and eco-friendly products, your best bet would be the Good Market. The Good Market is a locally run flea market that sells all sorts of different goods. Here you’ll find everything from arts and crafts to fresh produce and snacks. The organisation’s motto is “good for the planet, good for the country, and good for you” and it’s a statement they have strived to live by. The Good Market generally opens up each Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. It is located at the Nuga Tree Car Park which is found behind the Sports Ministry Building, right next to the Colombo Racecourse. There are over 65 to 85 vendors at the Good Market on any given day, and they all sell products that are sustainable and healthy. In many ways, a visit to the Good Market is a great way to support local enterprises while also being a great choice for tourists and backpackers to buy goods. You can rest easy knowing that what you’re buying is completely safe and isn’t harmful to the environment in any way. All in all, it can take you up to 2 hours to fully explore the market and see everything it has to offer – so do take your time, it is a fantastic way to spend a weekend afternoon. The Good Market also has a few entertainment acts to keep you company as you shop. From local musicians to talented troops of street performers, it’s always a lively scene down at the market – be sure to stop by!