Taipei City Government

Around the world demand is sharply increasing for organic farm products free of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Organic products are free of various chemical substances that can harm us, and also protect our natural environment from pollution. More and more consumers are turning to the organic option, despite the higher prices caused by the greater time investments and smaller production quantities involved.

According to the Agriculture and Food Agency, in order to ensure the selection of genuine organic products in Taiwan, you must go right back to the “birth” of the product. In addition to checking if pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used, the grower's use of other materials, water, and type of land must be verified. Only if all such qualifications are met can the country's TAP (Taiwan/Traceability Agricultural Product) labelling be attached.

Taiwan currently has 12 recognized organic agricultural product certification bodies. Qualified produce must display its certification ID number, and must also have the official CAS (Certified Agricultural Standards) labelling for organic Taiwanese produce displayed (as shown above). Consumers just have to see the CAS label to know their choice has received verification as a Taiwan Premium Agricultural Product.

More consumers are now choosing to go direct to organic farmers for their purchases, relying on the personal guarantee of the producer and his explanation of the production methods used for reassurance. Establishing such personal relationships brings both farm-freshness and a sense of security.

There has been a renaissance of farmers' markets in the urban centers of the West over the past few decades, the US offering such well-known examples as Manhattan's Union Square Greenmarket and Belmont Market in California. Taipei can now boast its own. The founder of the 248 Market, Yang Ru-men, says that a couple of years ago he visited a famers' market in Hong Kong and was highly impressed. He decided to set up a similar outdoor market in Taipei and chose the motto: Nontoxic, Safe, Friendly.

Yang's goal is to bring Taiwan's farming folk and consumers in direct contact. The market has a strict prohibition on any chemicals in products sold; everything is guaranteed bio-organic. Producers must also serve as shepherds of the soil, using only eco-friendly cultivation techniques. Though in the short-term this may very well decrease production quantity, over the long-term this ensures the health of the land and sustainable development. For the consumers, the quality of their fruits and vegetables is guaranteed.

When you head over to the 248 Market, you may well be greeted by a shout from a lady to come over and try some of her pancakes with toon-sprout. Or maybe some of her turmeric rice. You'll find popsicles made with fresh fruits for sale, with refreshing blends of sweetness and sourness. You'll stroll past stalls hawking cabbage, sugarcane, sweet potatoes, and tofu with the farmers chatting amiably with browsers. You'll be offered free samples of mulberry jams and perilla plums by vendors who handled the whole cultivating process starting with the planting of the seed. The vendors will also offer advice on how to best use them to add a bit of zest to your meals. Here, in the midst of the busy city, you'll find a tasty and refreshing slice of the countryside.