Produce with Personality

It’s funny. When I left South Africa, I thought I had a neat mental list of all the things I would miss. Family. Friends. Familiar roads. Favourite coffee spots. But what genuinely took me by surprise?

Grocery shopping.

Yes. Grocery shopping.

More specifically, I miss the sheer, unapologetic convenience of Woolworths.

I almost whisper it, because I can already hear the greenies sharpening their knives, but my goodness, those extra-cold Woolworths food aisles with their perfectly lit, unblemished fruit and vegetables are a thing of glory. Shiny strawberries. Crisp spinach. Avocados that behave exactly as instructed. Everything sealed, labelled, barcoded, and somehow lasting weeks in the fridge.

There is nothing remotely organic about it. I have absolutely no idea what they do to make it last that long. And honestly?

I don’t care.

I miss it.

Because grocery shopping in Zambia is not a quick in-and-out affair. It is an experience. A character-building exercise. A test of my ability to improvise.

You quickly learn:

If you see good avocados, buy them.

If there’s fresh rocket today, there may not be tomorrow.

If the tomatoes look glorious, something else will be missing.

If everything is available at once, take a photo. It’s historic.

There are great supermarkets here and even more impressive farm fresh produce which I’m grateful for. But supply chains have personalities. Deliveries have moods. The seasons actually matter.

And then there’s the cold aisle situation. It’s just… not the same. Gone are the sub-zero tundra vibes of Woolworths.

In their place: slightly warmer fridges and produce that reminds you it grew in actual soil under an actual sun. Sometimes with a bruise to prove it.

Shops to try for those hard to find items:

• Butcher Block - Great selection of meat and fresh veggies too and Sourdough.

• Melisa Supermarket - Great for fresh produce especially things like granadillas, berries, pomegranates

• Woolworths (Manda Hill, East Park Mall, Centro) - If you want maple syrup, vanilla extract, pure gelatine.

• Go Vino (Located at Arcades Mall) - Great range of South African wines

• Bakers Galore - For bulk baking items and accessories