Abu Dhabi residents to get a taste of Ripe organic market

The event will be held throughout the winter at The collection at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

The RIPE stall selling boxes of seasonal variety vegetables at the Organic Market in Dubai Garden Center. October 01, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Antonie Robertson / The National

ABU DHABI // Residents of the capital will finally get a taste of the popular local organic fruit and vegetable market Ripe today.

Although Dubai and Sharjah already have the market set up, Abu Dhabi had only a pop-up version in Al Raha Gardens.

“This will be the first time we bring our Ripe Food and Craft Market concept, including our vegetables and vendors, to Abu Dhabi,” said Becky Balderstone, Ripe’s founder.

“And The Collection at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is a fantastic location to call home for the season.”

The decision was taken after positive feedback was received for the pop-up market and inquiries from Abu Dhabi residents.

“Making the decision to launch in Abu Dhabi was an easy one,” she said. “And Ripe is returning to Sharjah at the end of the month, at Al Majaz Waterfront.”

New additions include local organic kale and leafy greens such as oak-leaf, iceberg lettuce, pumpkin, asparagus and baby sweetcorn.

“Our new agricultural manager is in charge of the produce and works closely with our local farmers,” Ms Balderstone said. “We work with a lot of local farms and have a really great variety of produce, including capsicum, potatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, pineapple and herbs.”

Residents are thrilled with the opening. “Finally, we don’t have to trek to Dubai when we’re desperate for a fun day outdoors as a family,” said Laila Abdullah, a mother of two.

“That’s what so cool about the market. It’s not just about organic vegetables.

“There’s a sense of community, there’s the chance to meet all sorts of vendors and sellers providing artisanal and custom products that are unique and they sort of recreate the feeling of shopping at a fun flea-market.”

She said the market offered an alternative to malls.

“Sometimes, it feels like all the shopping we ever do is in a mall,” she said. “It’s especially fun for families, even if you don’t want to buy a thing. The atmosphere is festive, it’s a safe place for kids to run around, there’s so much food to sample – it’s an entire day out that’s planned to perfection for you, without you having to lift a finger.”

Soraya Kamel, from Jordan, said having access to organic produce was a bonus.

“I’m sure that’s something not only parents would care about,” she said. “It’s so expensive in local groceries but Ripe provides the most affordable organic options that are also in season, so it’s an added health factor bonus.”

Jumana Al Darwish, a Jordanian who founded The Happy Box for children, plans to showcase her product at the market.

“It acts as a centre of the community,” she said.

“This symbolic construction of one community continues to be a supportive outlet for The Happy Box and their support of start-ups has established their presence as a leading initiative.”

Stephanie Nammar, an independent clinical dietician, said the extension to Abu Dhabi was a way of supporting local agriculture.

“Organic fruits and vegetables have higher vitamins and minerals and taste better,” she said.

“Making organic products more accessible will allow a larger population to use them for cooking and thus to eat healthier.

“By extending the locally grown organic market, prices will also become more affordable.”