What will You Buy at Holders Farmers Market?

Well, in just two days - 6th November 2011 - the much anticipated Holders Farmers Market will officially commence at 9.00AM - 2.00PM and continue every Sunday there after (at Holders House, Holders Hill, St. James). The only real question many of you may now have is what will be on sale? Well take a look below for the answer to your question.

Quite a variety of local produce and items correct? Sunday can't come soon enough for us over here at Loop Barbados.

Melanie & Kimberly*

Images: Pinterest edited by Loop Barbados

Are You Eating Organic and Raw?

Are you eating organic and raw? Well you now can at Holders Farmers Market.
We have all heard the word because lately, that is what everyone is buzzing about..organic. So what does it actually mean and why should you care? Well, organic food is food which has been produced using methods that:
* Do not involve synthetic inputs such as modern synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers
* Do not contain genetically modified organisms
* Are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents or chemical food additives.

This all means that the food which is produced organically is clean and like in all aspects of life the cleaner the better!

Eating organic has many benefits not only for your body and mind but also for your environment. Below are a few but important benefits of eating organic.

* Organic foods do not have pesticide, herbicide or fungicide residue on it. Who wants to be digesting food which contains all of these dangerous chemicals?
* Organic foods allow for less choline chemistry in our environment and reduce off farm pollution
* Organic foods are not genetically engineered IE it is real
* Organic foods reduce toxic load
* Organic foods have an intense realistic flavor
* Organic foods have a high vitamin and mineral content

Now finally, Barbados will be able to access these benefits and more by attending and purchasing organic food/produce from Holders Farmers Market. Holders Farmers Market opens from 9AM - 2PM every Sunday from November 6th 2011 and will be located at Holder's Plantation House. From fruits and vegetable, to milk, to eggs - Barbadians will finally be able to locate their weekly supply in one convenient place! What a relief right? Well, we at Loop Barbados certainly think so.

Melanie & Kimberly*



Images: What Katie Ate, tumblr

An Organic Movement in Barbados- Holders Farmers Market

Such a great initiative is being developed in Barbados which is stressing the importance of not only eating organic and fresh but also creating a healthy lifestyle on a whole. So what is this you wonder...we are talking about Holders Farmers Market! This farmers market is like no other in Barbados and we at Loop Barbados support it to the fullest. Holders Farmers Market will commence on the 6th November, 2011 and will continue every Sunday from 9 AM to 2 PM. The market is located at the historic and well known Holders House, Holders Hill, St. James, where you can come to buy your organic produce, discover the benefits of holistic massages and explore the market and what it has to offer at your own pace.

Just to give you a little insight on the inspiration behind the market, Mark and Jack recognized the importance of eating raw, organic foods and how these foods aid in the combat against diseases such as diabetes and cancer. In turn, they also are very passionate about supporting the local farmers on the island and trying to encourage more people to buy locally, which benefits everyone at the end of the day. Basically if you buy organic from Holders Farmers Market, you are eating healthier, supporting the local agricultural industry and your pocket will thank you, as the pricing of the produce will be less than the supermarket's imported produce. What more could you want?

Customers will be able to have a full and authentic experience of what a farmers market is all about. There will be a great variety of vendors at the market -from the Healing Holistic Center offering massages and reflexology to local vendors offering fruits, vegetables, arts and crafts, sausages, cheeses and much more - there is something for everyone! To get some more general information on Holders Farmers Market you can take a look at their Frequently Asked Questions.

Melanie & Kimberly*



Image: Whimsicalities

The Greenest Economy is what Barbados Wants

Many stakeholders within the local economy have recently signed onto the ultimate goal of establishing Barbados as the greenest economy in the Caribbean and Latin America! Andy Armstrong, President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry, talks about looking at a more multifaceted approach if Barbados truly wants to implement a sustainable green economy.

Like anyone will tell you in many aspects of life, diversity is key to success; and this stands true for sustainability. Barbados cannot just depend on one renewable energy source - IE the sun - but rather it needs to take a more versatile approach. There has been a great look into wide-scale wind technology and under current consideration is the development of an off shore floating wind platform in Barbados which has caught the eye of European countries such as Norway.  

Although all of this sounds wonderful and we at Loop Barbados are 120% fully supportive, our only question/concern is why have the more basic and obvious methods of sustainably such as reducing, reusing and recycling not been mentioned more highly in the discussion of sustainability. Why has only large scale renewable energy plans been readily broadcasted when smaller scale projects like reducing wastage rarely talked about? Is it not as important? Does it seem that we are taking step 4 before step 1? What do you think?

Melanie & Kimberly*


 Image: Brown Dress With White Drops

Travel Barbados The Right Way

When it comes to defining sustainable travel, it is a little bit like a family deciding where to vacation, everyone has their own idea and no one can agree. However one thing is certain, sustainable travel is one where the environment, economy and culture of the destination you visit is aided rather than damaged; and as a result that destination and its characteristics are preserved so that the great grand children of your great grandchildren can see what you saw or more! We all know that Barbados is a magical and treasured place - to both its locals and visitors. This is why it is absolutely vital to do our best to protect Barbados. Don't we want to experience the beauty Barbados has to offer every time we return?

Now most of you know the regular, switch off the lights and reuse the hotel bath towel and so on. Therefore,  Loop Barbados (with the help of National Geographic and Yale University) decided to add some other  steps  you can take to preserve the beauty and culture of Barbados so it is kept that not only your children but their great grandchildren can see what you saw.

1.  Unplug before you leave - Sustainable travel commences from the time you leave your home, so ensure all electronics that will not be in use while you are gone are unplugged. For example the TV, computer, Printer, Microwaves ETC.

2. Travel paperless - With the usage of internet and smartphones rapidly increasing in today's society, is there really a need to print your ticket? Plan you trip online and only print when necessary. Even maps today can be featured on phones or tablet computers.

3. Visit during festivals - Visit Barbados during a festival (such as Crop-Over) to be a part of vibrant, local celebrations. This in turn provides a doorway into our culture and aids in supporting local customs and traditions.

4. Select Tour operators who support sustainable tourism practices - The question here is how do you know when they support these methods. Well when making the booking simply ask how they support sustainable tourism practices. If they have no clue what you are talking about you have your answer.

5. Book responsibly and new- When booking your hotel look to see if it  has any kind of certification such as Green Globe or Earth Check. Also most new properties employ energy efficient equipment.

6. Does it have a "sense of place"? - Look into whether the service you are booking enhances the character and authenticity of the destination. When browsing on the specific website you should feel an overall sense of Barbados.

7. Lighten up- Packing lightly will not only make it easier to get where you are going but also reduce jet fuel consumption.

8. Buy local  -  By purchasing from local markets, vendors and artisans you are reducing the amount of money which leaves Barbados and in turn boosting our economy.

9. Respect local culture - This can be done by choosing local guides, staying in locally owned accommodation,  eating local foods, respecting local customs and tradition and treating others as you would wished to be treated.

10. Know what is endangered - If you update yourself on the animal and plant species that are  endangered you can better help protect them by not purchasing produce made with these materials (such as turtle back jewellery, coral decor). This lessens their demand and in turn reduces their supply by vendors.

11. Fly non-stop (if possible)- Flying non-stop is not only more convenient but also more fuel efficient.

12.  Lend a hand - contribute something to a local community you are visiting whether it be a small monetary donation or making sometime to volunteer at a local organization such as Clean Up Barbados.

Some of these steps may be big, others small, but they all can make a difference, especially if we take them together.

Melanie & Kimberly*



Images: Brown Dress with White Dots, Pyramad Song