Farmers market

Café Batu Jimbar is an alternative place to have lunch (or brunch) on a fine Sunday morning/afternoon. Located in Sanur it’s a good change if one’s tired of Kuta/Seminyak.

It started as a weekly farmers market, a combination of food and products selling but a friend of mine who was the only product seller checked out several months ago and what was left was food and some flowers. The food range from Indonesian dishes, and one or two international dishes aside from what’s offered in the café menu. My favorite would be ‘nasi kuning’ and muscle. Not ordered at once of course.

My friends the gardeners used to sell organic veggies (I sometimes bought mixed salad and strawberries), and lovely plants or flowers. Aside from them there would be varieties of organic products, such as jams, muesli, sugar, brown sugar, and organic bread, bagels, etc..

It’s interesting to see how awareness of “wellness” grew in the lives of many people in Bali (either living permanently or visiting). People are so crazed about organic, yoga, harmony of body-mind-soul that sometimes the whole idea sound overrated. They quickly pick up veggies and fruits labeled ‘organic’ without questioning, let alone having complete understanding of what the idea is all about that there’s a certain standard has to meet, during plantation, harvesting and so on.

My friends’ input is easy, if it’s labeled organic, the farmer would welcome anybody to come to their farm/garden and observe how they grow the food. And yes, my friends welcome people in their garden.

I personally am not obsessed about it. As long as the veggies/fruits I eat looks fresh, and certain it was cooked in normal manner, and edible, bring it on. If you start worrying, your palate can’t enjoy anything. Of course you’re potentially healthier by eating organic, but doesn’t your mind start wandering that the farmers used cow manure, and godknowswhat gross stuff. For this.. ignorance is bliss.. :)