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PhrasesAt the MarketÈ un mercato contadino?
A2

È un mercato contadino?

Is this a farmers' market?

Pronunciation

è un mer-KA-to kon-ta-DI-no

When to use it

Asking whether the market sells only farm-direct produce from the growers themselves.

What it means

A mercato contadino (farmers' market) in Italy means producers sell directly without intermediaries. All participants must be certified producers of what they sell. These markets are regulated by regional authorities and are growing in popularity as consumers seek direct producer relationships.

Variations

I venditori sono anche i produttori?

Are the sellers also the producers?

Checking whether this is truly farmer-direct

Dove si trova il mercato contadino più vicino?

Where is the nearest farmers' market?

Asking for directions to a specific type of market

Quando c'è il mercato contadino?

When is the farmers' market?

Asking about the schedule

Mini Dialogue

— È un mercato contadino? — Sì — tutti i produttori vengono dalla provincia. Nessun rivenditore. — Perfetto — così so che è fresco. — E sostenibile — meno trasporti, più qualità.

— Is this a farmers' market? — Yes — all producers come from the province. No resellers. — Perfect — so I know it's fresh. — And sustainable — less transport, more quality.

Cultural Note

Coldiretti, Italy's largest farmers' federation, operates the Mercato di Campagna Amica network — certified farmers' markets across Italy where only genuine producers may sell. The network has grown to over 1,200 markets since its founding in 2008.