There is an interconnected and multifaceted relationship between food markets and eating habits. The culture surrounding food consumption and what is on offer in the market affects what we eat shows how they influence each other.  The eating habits of a community can be gleaned by visiting their markets and markets themselves also play a significant role in shaping and influencing eating habits.

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The availability and accessibility of variety food provide access to a wide range of food products, including fresh produce, processed foods, and international cuisines. This variety allows consumers to explore different eating styles, but only appears when the economical and cultural dynamics of an area change, commonly apparent with increase of city size or increase of foreigners in an area.

The change of lifestyle sometimes requires convenience which would then be reflected in the markets and types of processed food available.

The change of lifestyle does not eradicate the cultural and social influences.Cultural foods especially types consumed during specific events is always in the dilemma of it being mass produced or not. Until now many small scale food producers are still part of the food supply process but could be found in special markets or as pre-ordered catering service.

As people associate the person the process of the making i.e. the culture with quality and authenticity of the food.

Health and nutrition awareness as well as access to international cuisine through online forums and television shows also affects the eating habits and therefore the market.

However, recently and due to war, the economic factors and shortage of supply has immensely affected the types of food making it to the market and the possibility for people to buy.

Limited grown food and routes of importing along with the raiding of local food factories have orchestrated the types of everyday food people have access to or consume, but also is to a large extent showing the impact of the food security the country is going through.

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Food markets and eating styles have a reciprocal relationship. Markets influence eating styles through the availability, marketing, and pricing of food products, while consumer preferences and cultural trends shape what markets offer. This dynamic interaction plays a crucial role in the evolution of eating habits and dietary patterns in society.

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The collection if images in this gallery are pictures showing typical food markets all around Sudan © Zainab Gaafar

Header Image © Isam Hafiz

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