5.6 The Market
Completion requirements
Spanish Language and Culture 10-3Y
5.6 The Market
¡Vamos al mercado!
You can find a mercado in Colombia and in most Spanish-speaking countries. El mercado is not a supermarket. It is like a farmer's market or a flea market. It's usually outside but it can also be inside a big structure.
People have little booths or kiosks to show their merchandise or products. They sell fruits, vegetables, various handicrafts, flowers, religious items, music, homemade jellies or desserts - almost anything. The products in el mercado are usually fresher and cheaper than in the supermarket.
People have little booths or kiosks to show their merchandise or products. They sell fruits, vegetables, various handicrafts, flowers, religious items, music, homemade jellies or desserts - almost anything. The products in el mercado are usually fresher and cheaper than in the supermarket.
In el mercado you generally deal with the shop owners and it's easier to bargain with them. They want to sell their items, so frequently you can offer less money than what they ask and get a better price. In many Spanish-speaking countries, instead of going to a grocery store, you go to el mercado for certain items, then maybe to a panaderÃa for your bread and to a carnicerÃa for your meats.
¿El mercado o un supermercado?
Compare the following pictures from el mercado and un supermercado. What differences do you see?
| el supermercado | el mercado |
 |
 |
Specialty Markets in Canada
In Canada there are immigrants from all over the world; however, when people move to a new country, they usually keep eating most of the food they ate in their home countries. It is part of their culture and who they are.
If you moved to another country, what foods would you want to buy? How would you feel if you couldn't find them? Where do people from other countries living in Canada buy their food?
In many Canadian neighborhoods you can find markets that sell food from other countries. Have you ever heard of "Little Italy" or "Chinatown?" These are just two examples of markets in some cities that cater to a certain country's food. Other examples are Hispanic and Arabian Markets. Do you have any markets similar to these close to where you live? How about specialty stores?
In many Canadian neighborhoods you can find markets that sell food from other countries. Have you ever heard of "Little Italy" or "Chinatown?" These are just two examples of markets in some cities that cater to a certain country's food. Other examples are Hispanic and Arabian Markets. Do you have any markets similar to these close to where you live? How about specialty stores?
Ask a parent or other adult. They might be able to think of some areas or stores you did not know about!