Where to find and buy local food

Some 10 or 15 years ago (when we didn't have supermarkets and malls) people found mainly local (Romanian) food in markets. In summer farmers traveled to our Cluj markets  from other regions to bring vegetables and fruit that didn't grow in our region. People cooked and ate products which were "in season".

Things have changed now. We can buy exotic products, tasteless tomatoes and Peruvian apples all year round. Local authorities don't encourage local farmers very much and half the markets are full of imported vegetables and stuff. There are some local farmers which sell their products in the market and there are still many people who choose to buy only local vegetables because they taste better. You can buy local vegetables, fruit, dried fruit, jam, pickles, dairy products, eggs and traditional meat products. There are small markets in each neighborhood, but the biggest is Leul Market in Piata Mihai Viteazul (farmers are close to the back entrance).

During spring and summer there is a Saturday local farmers' market near Republica Cinema in Piata Mihai Viteazul every two weeks, or you can stop at farmers' gates in the surrounding villages (e.g Apahida), they will be happy to sell you fresh vegetables and fruit (they usually keep samples at the gates if they want to sell). You can also buy traditional and local products from Christmas, Easter markets or fairs in the city center.