Need fresh fruit, vegetables and meat? Why stick to supermarkets when there are places where you can do more than just shop? Here are the best markets around the country.

Bollywood Veggies

The products sold in this market are all homegrown. It began in 2000 when Lim Ho Seng and Ivy Singh-Lim wanted produce that are free from harmful chemicals and are produced locally. Also located in the area are the Bollywood Veggies Farm & Bistro and Bhanchha Cooking School.

Chinatown Wet Market

Here you can find cheap ingredients like Chinese herbs and spices and different types of fresh seafood. It’s open daily from 8 am to 12 noon.

Farmer’s Market at Loewen Gardens

This event, run by The Pantry at Loewen Gardens, is held once a month. It’s open from 8:30 am to 2 pm. Shoppers can enjoy the variety of products from wines to breads to homemade dips.

Geylang Serai Wet Market

It’s the place to be when you’re looking for authentic Malay and Middle Eastern food and spices. The ambiance is also relaxing because it’s located in a Malay kampong house which has various food stalls within the building.

Kranji Countryside Farmers’ Market

Need fresh vegetables and fruits from local markets? Kranji Countryside Farmer’s Market is organized four times annually at the Kranji countryside. The forty or so farms included offer not just fresh produce but homemade products as well.

Kreta Ayer Wet Market

Located in Chinatown, this market is known the world over for its standards of hygiene and the variety of food for sale. The name comes from the ox carts used to deliver goods. A sitting area is available for your convenience.

PasarBella

It has the reputation of being the country’s first permanent farmer’s market. Located at The Grandstand Bukit Timah, you will find anything from fresh produce to home items. You can also dine with your family after shopping.

The Weekend Farm

This is run by Kok Fah Technology Farm is open on weekends and public holidays from 9 am to 6 pm. If you’re looking for fresh vegetables from the farm, the market has a reputation of displaying produce that have been harvested for no more than three hours.

Tekka Wet Market

It’s the largest indoor wet market in Singapore with more than 250 stalls. It sells a diverse choice of food items and groceries and is open from 6:30 am until late afternoon.

Tiong Bahru Wet Market

Not only does the market have an array of Asian produce, but they also sell Western fresh products at more competitive prices than in the supermarkets. Coffee shops and restaurants line the Tiong Bahru, creating a great shopping experience.

There’s More!

Want more places to check out? We also recommend Senoko Fishery Port, BoCHINche, Cold Storage at Singapura Plaza, Huber’s Butchery, Kuriya Japanese Fresh Fish Market, Beo Crescent Market, Marine Parade Market, and Tanjong Pagar Market and Food Centre.

As we are nearing our fifty years of independence, more and more commemorative things are coming. Singapore’s fifty years of independence is a milestone only this year LKY will not join us. Though he is not here, his legacy will never be forgotten. He made Singapore into what it is today.

Speaking of commemorative things, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will reveal commemorative SG50 coins to celebrate our golden jubilee. Here are some details about the commemorative coins:

• Who spearheaded the revelation: The Minister of Education (also the chairman of SG50 steering committee), Heng Swee Keat showed the three SG50 coins on April 4, 2015.
• Who were the audiences: The Minister initially showed the coins to more casino than eleven thousand educators and guests gathered in an event.

• The values of SG50 coins: As mentioned earlier, there will be there SG50 commemorative coins. The series include a $2 cupro-nickel coin, $5 silver coin and $50 gold coin. The back of these coins bear our Coat of Arms. Aside from these coins, MAS will also issue commemorative notes in the 2^nd half of 2015.
• Representation: Each coin represents something. The $2 cupro-nickel coin signifies basic education (primary and secondary levels). Basic education is important because it can equip our children with the character, values and skills which are enough to prepare them for their future. The $5 silver coin highlights higher education which will deliver students to several paths in achieving their dreams. The $50 gold coins focus on the educators who aim to produce the best in every child.

Within the period of three years, the manufacturing sector finally received the merit of being the most delinquent debtor here in Singapore. This is only for the first quarter of the year, but who knows what will happen in the second quarter.

Based on the data provided by the Singapore Commercial Credit Bureau (SCCB), the highest percentage of slow payments came from the manufacturing sector. In the last quarter of 2014, the manufacturing sector’s slow payment contributed to 41.37 percent but it rose to 53.06 percent in the first quarter of this year. This goes to show that slow payment increased to 11.69 points from the last quarter.

Who are slow payers? Here’s an idea:

• Petroleum and Coal Products: The petroleum and coal products listed as one of the slowest payers at 59.51%.
• Primary metals: The primary metals sector listed as the second slowest payers at 59.09%.
• Transportation equipment: The transportation equipment sector listed as the third slowest payers at 58.30%.

Now, the construction sector has been surpassed by the manufacturing sectors as the slowest payers. The reason for the slow payments is the tightening of electronics. In fact, the electronics sub-sector listed an increase of about eleven percent of delayed payments.

What does this tell us? The last quarter was difficult for the manufacturing sector but it does not mean that the businesses are not doing good. Whatever the constrains manufacturing sectors experience, for sure they can get through it all and emerge better. The important thing here is the sector is doing its best to keep up with payments. The slow pace is just temporary.