Hello, We'll be staying just outside Greve (in a B&B) for several days and are on an food budget..we'd like to eat lunch on the go and save our money for evening meals. Has anyone experienced purchashing groceries from these types of stores? Hoping someone may have recommendations for a good market in Greve. Thanks!
Actually I've been meaning to ask this. We'll be in Greve around 12:30PM on a Saturday. I know they say the markets are "Saturday mornings" but didn't know how late they were open? Can anyone tell me? Thanks! :)
Matt:
There is a large COOP supermarket in Greve. It is right on the main drag (S222). It has everything that you will need. In addition, Greve has lots of fine shops - butcher, baker, cheesemonger, etc.
Sometimes it is more fun to buy these items in the small shops and get the pantry stuff at the COOP.
Greve is a market town. The market day is Saturday morning. If you are there on Saturday do not miss this. Have fun.
It is a Saturday morning market, and I don't think it went past one. However, I believe nearby Panzano has one on Sunday. Not as large, but I've heard good things about it. Jon was spot on about the Coop. We stopped in there and got food for picnics and breakfast. We loved our time in Greve and hope you have a great trip.
I found a web site that shows the Greve market goes until one on Saturdays and the Panzano market is from 8-1 on Sundays.
One different thing about produce sections in Italy is that you are NOT allowed to touch the produce with a bare hand. No exceptions, not even foods like bananas that will be peeled. Seriously. There are disposable plastic gloves that you have to use.
They do this because all the produce has already been washed and no one wants to get your germs.
Also, lots of places will require you to weigh the produce yourself (after you put it in a plastic bag), and print out a little sticker with the weight and bar code to put on the bag while you're still in the produce section.
If you need help, you can say "Puo' aiutarmi?" to anyone around. Pronounced "pwoh ah-yoo-TAR-mee?". It means "Can you help me?" and comes in handy in all sorts of situations.
See http://goitaly.about.com/od/foodandwineofitaly/ss/shopping_italy_3.htm for more info
Macelleria Falorni is a wonderful butcher shop in the center of town which has fantastic prepared meats and cheeses that would be perfect for sandwiches, etc. They may even have sandwiches and other prepared foods, but I cannot remember exactly (we were there during the Chianti wine festival).
Falorni is wonderful. The best salume (salami) on Earth.
You won't be able to miss it...just look for the large flying pig sign that says "Norcineria" on it.