New campaign promotes market shopping

Pere Sampol, the Balearic minister of commerce and deputy leader, and Mayor of Palma Joan Fageda went shopping in the municipal markets yesterday, launching a campaign to promote local produce and the markets. The motto is “If you come to the market, you know what you're eating” and it is operating in the Olivar, Santa Catalina, Pere Garau, Llevant, San Fernando and Camp Rodó markets. Sampol and Fageda went round the Plaza Pere Garau sporting a senalla, a traditional Majorcan shopping bag, which hangs from the shoulder. Sampol said that his department had been modernising the markets which, he said, provided a basic service in cities. He also stressed the importance of consuming Balearic products to promote the farming sector. During the campaign, which is backed by the Banca March, the markets will be giving away 500 senalles with vales for 20'000 pesetas, to be spent after the festive season. Sampol's department, the environment group GOB and the Defence of Nature group are working on another campaign to introduce environmental criteria into markets. “Commerce should also worry about the environment,” Sampol said. The campaign asks shoppers to use plastic bags as little as possible, and to buy products by weight, rather than packaged goods, where possible. The Mayor, who visited all the municipal markets to wish stall holders and shoppers a Merry Christmas, thanked Sampol for promoting the markets.