Risks, qualities and sociabilities in street markets: the merchants’ perspective from two food street markets in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

Abstract

The article analyzes the relationship between food risks, quality of food and the sociabilities in street markets. The research was carried out within two food street markets (one from organic farmers and the other one from conventional agriculture products) in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. The research involved interviews and observation and lasted five months during the year of 2013. The results show that risks are considered inevitable by respondents, but street markets represent possibilities and potentials against them. Sociabilities and food qualities are constructed as ingredients against the anonymity of large markets, building relations of proximity and trust. The direct markets show that the agri-food system of contemporary societies is related to the modern development model we live in, and new cultural values might emerge from these markets’ experiences. Civism and responsibility are core questions within these contexts and the role of food street markets, supermarkets and the food supply chain are critically evaluated by social actors involved.