Food Education Opportunities
This is where the magic happens for me as a parent. Where I get to lay the foundations of healthy eating for my son, in a vibrant environment filled with conscious foodies and farmers, selling their foods grown or made with total love. Remember, we are not born knowing how to eat healthily – it must be taught to us. So this is where I get my ‘parent on’ and use our shopping experience here to encourage my son to explore an array of healthy foods on offer and have him sample them (see slices of naartjies below – also known as a satsuma, mandarin or tangerine). And this is where he then gets to give input and conjure up his own ideas of what healthy meals and snacks we should have for the week.
So, many people ask me how did I get my son Kade eat so healthy and enjoy a wide variety of foods? Well, taking him to food markets like this is part of the how and why! Here a few other things I did and still do:
- I have encouraged him to be present with us at every meal even when he was a newborn (he would sit in his Stokke New Born set that was attached to the Tripp Trapp base),
- he would join me for lunch ever since he was born (as I ate out sometimes when I breastfed him) and when he was able to sit and eat on his own, and he watched me and my husband eat fresh healthy food the majority of the time,
- As soon as he could identify pictures I taught him different food names, and always tried to encourage him to lean into the healthy food choices,
- Now he is five years old, I teach him more technical ways your body responds to being fed healthy foods and junk foods. Building on what he has been learning since he was born.
- I constantly take him out to food markets or the supermarkets to join in with weekly meal planning (because little ones voices matter and you will be surprised at how many great ideas they can throw your way with their incredible memories when you are stuck for recipe ideas!)
Adults Relearn, Be Inspired + Find Peace Too
You also don’t have to be a child to take advantage of the food education opportunities here. Let’s say for instance you were raised eating the same foods over and over. Then this place is for you. Also, what if your current relationship with food is leaning more towards unhealthy choices that are not nourishing your body and mind. Then this place is most definitely for you! In both instances challenge yourself to buying one new item each week and learning how to eat or cook with it. The people at the market are super helpful so be sure to make the most of their deep knowledge about each individual food item or search online for it wink if you feel shy.
The Granger Bay Market in Cape Town offers me a place of peace whether I am with my son, alone, with friends or with my husband – the energy here is amazing. And so contagious and inspiring to healthy eating and living. Not only can you choose organic fresh produce for your weekly meals, but some weekends you can adopt a doggy as African Tails or Sidewalk Specials (pictured below) animal charities are both given a free space to raise funds for their huge overheads and to encourage people to adopt animals instead of supporting backyard breeders who are contributing to the problem of so many animals ending up in shelters daily.
So do visit The Granger Bay whether you are a local or a tourist, I highly recommend checking it out so you can;
- Shop for fresh organic fruit and vegetables with zero plastic packaging,
- Have quality time with your family, friends or alone,
- Eat a fresh lunch meal or sweet treat from some of Cape Towns finest food makers,
- Discover foods and drink combinations you may not have tried before.
Photo Story of Our Visit To The Granger Bay Market – Cape Town, South Africa
Check out my photo story below of the Granger Bay Market last Saturday!
For more information on the Granger Bay Market in Cape Town, South Africa check out their website page here. They are open on Saturdays from 9am – 2pm and Sundays from 9am – 3pm.
