We’ve loved the produce here in Panamà. Even at the grocery store, we’ve found the selection to be great, the prices to be reasonable, and the quality to be excellent. However, we heard about local farmer’s markets, but haven’t made it to one yet. But then we heard about the mother of all farmer’s markets here in Panamà City, and decided to start at the top. It’s known as Merca Panamà, the largest market in Panamà City

To say it’s in Panamà City is a bit a stretch. It is outside the City, but just a 20 minute drive from our apartment building in downtown (that is, in good traffic. It could be easily double that with bad traffic!).

The outside looks a little non-descript on first view.

Inside, it’s a different story.

It’s even more impressive when you consider that this is just one half of one of the four warehouses filled with produce vendors.

As it was a Saturday, it was likely much less busy than usual. It’s clear, though, why this is the place where local restaurants come to buy their produce for the week. Many vendors were clearly targeting large volume buyers, with pellets loaded with potatoes, cabbage, garlic, and so much more.

Off to the left in the last picture you can see a man with a wheeled dolly. Many men are there offering to haul your produce purchases for you so you don’t have to carry them to your car.

That’s not including the folks who were selling out of the back of their trucks in the parking lot.

We didn’t time our visit well – we’d just done most of our grocery shopping! However, we couldn’t leave without bringing something home.

Total cost? $5.00.

Next time, we’ll go during the week when our pantry isn’t as full!