Greece to Add Evening Farmers Markets and Allow Food Vouchers at Stalls
Greece plans to open afternoon farmers markets at new sites and let low-income families use Minimum Guaranteed Income vouchers to buy produce there.
A new framework approved by the Ministry of Development will allow farmers markets to operate in the afternoon, typically from about 2:30-3 p.m. to 7:30-8 p.m., depending on the season, while preserving morning sessions. Nikos Sotiriou, president of the Pan-Attica Federation of Farmers Market Vendors’ Associations, said most vendors with existing morning permits can join the new slots, with extra positions possible if needed.
The plan also enables beneficiaries of Greece’s Minimum Guaranteed Income scheme to use their food vouchers at market stalls, aiming to improve nutrition for low-income families. Licensing will become faster, with digital permits issued within five business days and remaining valid indefinitely. Vendor allocation will be managed through a simplified application and electronic lottery system, and municipalities may create producer-only markets to boost competition. Additional measures address administrative delays in agricultural declarations and provide fee reductions in cases of force majeure.
Why it matters
The changes could increase market access for workers and vulnerable households while boosting vendors' income.
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