Catering services at Farmer's markets in Prague and Brussels

The bachelor's thesis analyzes catering services at farmers' markets in Prague and Brussels. In recent years, farmers' markets have become increasingly popular. A large number of visitors visit these markets for interest or to buy food with local production guaranteed. The combination of a healthy lifestyle, food consumption without added chemicals, and a sustainable way of producing, selling, and distributing food, is for the population becoming increasingly important. Legislative procedures for market operators and farmers are complex, and hygienic requirements have been rising recently, mainly due to the presence of Covid-19. It is important to be aware of the opinion and the point of view of visitors of farmers' markets themselves. Therefore, the research was focused on visitors of selected farmers' markets in capital cities of the Czech Republic and Belgium, the Farmer's market at Náplavka, and the Farmer's market called Marché de Flagey. The Farmer's market at Náplavka in Prague is more popular than the Marché de Flagey in Brussels. Both markets are creating a convenient place for meeting with family or friends. An appropriately chosen marketing strategy is essential for market promotion; the promotion is significant on websites and social networks. Consumers need to be convinced that shopping at farmer's markets supports local farmers and sustainable development. The offer at farmers' markets is considered to be sufficient. Nevertheless, customers of the Farmer's market at Náplavka would like to expand the offer of older traditional Czech dishes and new dishes which they do not know yet. Visitors of the Marché de Flagey would welcome food and drinks from other countries, which would still include production from local farmer's products. In comparison with the number of visitors, it is confirmed that eating place is for visitors insufficient. Observance of hygienic rules is vital and still is necessary that this issue would be improved. The situation during a pandemic, since March 2020, is dissimilar in both states by different regulations. The support of farmers in Belgium is higher and less complicated. Unfortunately, the rules set in the Czech Republic are difficult to meet, and restrictions limit markets. Furthermore, the state does not support these entrepreneurs with restarting their business activities. In the end, the results of both types of research were provided to the organizers of farmers' markets and the farmers themselves so that organizers and farmers could be inspired not only by their results but also by foreign ones.