The mobile market, a unique project from Botoșani County, saved thousands of farmers from bankruptcy and also provides fresh food to the population every day. An association of shepherds from the north of Moldova bought specially equipped caravans from which they can sell traditional products in the city’s neighborhoods.
The caravans that form the Mobile Market PHOTO Cosmin Zamfirache
Botoșani is an eminently agricultural county with a particular fame as “Bărăgan al Moldovai”, especially due to the best quality soil but also the tradition of the locals in terms of raising animals and cultivating the land. Moreover, from a statistical point of view, Botoșani is in the Romanian top regarding the number of traditional poduses approved and recognized nationally, but also internationally, as is the case with the cheese from Săveni. It’s a sign that Botoșani eats well, especially in the countryside, the peasant gastronomy of the northern Moldavian county being famous.
A big problem, especially for small Botošan farmers, is the fact that the peasants had no place to sell their products. The big chain stores were asking them for larger quantities than they could produce, and generally at prices that the farmers said were a joke. Under these conditions, more and more local producers gave up their traditional activities and went abroad. In order not to lose the tradition, an association of shepherds from Botoșani county, invested and set up a real mobile market, through which farmers can sell their products through the neighborhoods of Botoșani municipality. Not anyway, but under the legal conditions of hygiene and sanitary-veterinary protection. Specialists say that this idea practically saved the businesses of many small farmers, but at the same time it also provides fresh food of the best quality to the townspeople.
A unique idea at the national level, inspired by a Dutch fair
The idea of establishing a mobile market came to Ionică Nechifor, the president of the Association of Moldovan sheep and goat breeders, from Botoșani county, in 2014. Actually, Ionică Nechifor, who is currently also the director of the Sheep and Goat Research Station of in Popăuți, he wanted to purchase several trailers, specially designed for the sale of fresh products, from dairy, including cheese and milk, up to fresh meat, eggs but also traditional products. The caravans were to be located in the center of Botoșani, precisely to be accessible to the urban population. The idea came to Ionică Nechifor after a visit to the Netherlands, where he saw a fair of traditional products in the center of the city.
“The idea was to highlight local products. Promoting them because they are quality products. It is the work of the farmers and they need areas to sell their products that are really natural and fresh. We wanted to come as close as possible to consumers, to get to know local producers. I was firmly convinced that once they taste these products, from the country, no one will go to buy elsewhere“, stated Ionică Nechifor. The idea only materialized in 2021, due to lack of funds. “We didn’t have the financial possibility to make it happen, at that time, in 2014. We needed special trailers, with cooling installations, to store the products and many other conditions, so that everything would be in order”, adds Nechifor.
The shepherds joined hands and made a mobile market
In the year 2021, after working hand in hand, the farmers of the Moldoovis Association managed to buy the first four trailers, fully equipped for the sale of fresh and perishable products. The investment amounted to approximately 28,000 euros and the respective caravans had refrigerated display cases, refrigerators, sanitary facilities for sanitation and special spaces for storage. The first mobile market, made up of four trailers, was located in the Central Square area of Botoșani, an area accessible to customers and highly trafficked. Farmers received these trailers free of charge to sell their goods, obviously under strict sanitary and veterinary safety conditions. Most of them sold dairy products, from fresh milk and butter, to curds, salted sheep’s cheese, curd cheese, cream and many other assortments. Others also had fresh meat or even honey and natural juices from the fruits of the orchard. “Everyone wins. It is advantageous for the local producer as well as for the customer. He gets out of the apartment and goes and buys fresh, natural products, like in the country. What can be better?“, states Ionică Nechifor.
“If it weren’t for the caravans, I would have sold the animals a long time ago. Now I have customers”
It has been three years since the first four caravans were purchased. Success was immediate. This led the members of the association to purchase four more caravans equipped for the mobile market. All the trailers were distributed in neighborhoods from one end of the city to the other. Farmers have no shortage of customers, they even stand in line. Farmers say the caravans have saved their business. “If it weren’t for the caravans, I would often sell the animals. I had nowhere to sell the cheese, the milk. At the collection point the price was low per liter, at the gift shops, likewise, they gave me a little. I didn’t even take out the expenses. Now I have clients. I go to the caravan, sell the goods and things are going well”says a farmer. On the other hand, customers say they are glad to have fresh produce in their neighborhood or at least nearby. Mariana says that she learned to eat healthy since a caravan of producers stopped near the block where she lives.
“It’s easier for me than going to the outskirts of town to a big supermarket. I buy fresh cottage cheese, country eggs, cream. I also took whey to make a curd. Honestly, I started eating very natural, healthy“, says the woman from Botosani. “I honestly love that the mobile market has become an alternative to the supermarket. With local, very healthy products“, adds Ionică Nechifor.
The members of the association have big plans and hope to reach 40 caravans with farmers, to sell both in Botoşani municipality and in Dorohoi. In addition, Ionică Nechifor hopes, also following the Dutch model, to make a traditional weekend market in the city center, with only traditional products from local producers. And that’s because Botoșani county is also famous for traditional beekeeping products, fresh vegetables, but also jams and traditional bakery products.
