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COMPASS MAGAZINE August 2014
　

Farmer Market: A Taiwan souvenir showcase By Douglas Habecker Translated by Angela Cheng 253, FuXing Rd, Xitun Dist. Moved to: 173, YiZhong St, North Dist. http://www.farmermarket.com.tw/ The explosion of international tourism in Taiwan over the past few years is bringing tens of thousands of FIT (Free Independent Traveler or Foreign Individual Traveler) visitors to Greater Taichung on a monthly basis, necessitating new service businesses catering to their needs. Farmer Market is helping to fill one of these voids as a souvenir shop specifically targeted at FIT customers. Uniquely, it works with dozens of businesses around Taiwan to offer hundreds of products. Here one can find Hsinchu rice noodles, dried tofu from Taoyuan county, Puli popsicles, dried mangos, guavas and pineapples from Changhua, Nantou high-mountain tea and, of course, Taichung's famous pineapple and sun cakes. Other products include nougat candy, peanut and sesame brittle, pickled plums, litchi honey, dried honey pork slices, grape vinegar, pineapple, mango, plum and grape wines. Non-edible souvenirs include various locally-made soaps, keychains and eco-friendly detergents. Just as good, Farmer Market is constantly expanding its selection of products from around Taiwan.