My son is a student in Berlin and the one thing that he misses is fresh fruit and vegetables. He has cooking facilities but I am not sure he is finding all the stores where he may be able to find them. Or it may be a seasonal thing since we live in California. Any suggestions for markets? He lives in the South-West part of Berliln.
Posted by
Baltimore, MD, USA
6 posts
He won't find produce like in California - Germany is much more seasonal. However, every grocery store has a produce section. In Zehlendorf or Steglitz, he will find stores that only sell vegetables or fruits.
There are farmer's markets as well but he will have to find the one's in his neighborhood - he could check some of the newspapers.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Or he could ask his fellow students.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
8938 posts
There is wonderful produce in every single grocery store. There are Turkish markets on every street practically and there are also lots of outdoor markets in most neighborhoods. As far as Germany only having seasonal produce available, that is just crazy. What they do have is when a seasonal veg or fruit is ripe, they have tons of it. So, asparagus season means piles of asparagus everywhere. But it doesn't mean you cant get cukes or bell peppers or nectarines. I freaked when I went to California and saw what they were asking for avocados as they cost about a fourth of the price here. They get a lot of produce from Spain, the Netherlands and Israel, plus Chile or S.Africa or Greece. They do like having produce from Germany, especially, apples, strawberries, carrots, potatoes and such. Tell your son to try shopping at Aldis or Rewe or Toom Markets or maybe give it a try at the corner Turkish store, cause they have lots of other yummy things to eat too.
Posted by
Berlin, Germany
337 posts
Markets in Berlin: link to pdf file
Posted by
Redding, CA, USA
1568 posts
When in Europe, we did not find a shortage of fresh good quality fruit from many other countries. Living in California make us very picky when it comes to fresh produce. There are always little stands here and there.
Posted by
OP
Sacramento, CA
45 posts
You know, from these responses, I just don't think he is trying very hard. He is used to going to the farmers market in Berkeley which is a block away. Kids! Thank you all for your responses.
Posted by
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
425 posts
Hey Claire, sounds like a perfect excuse for you to go over there and make sure he's eating right! (wink, wink) You could make an adventure of finding all the local markets for him. I lived in Germany in the late 80's to early 90's and never went without an apple or pear.
Rob
Posted by
OP
Sacramento, CA
45 posts
Gee, Rob, funny you should say that. We leave in 2 weeks. I never thought I would hear these words from him, no vegetables?? They do change when they go away to college.