For all the hype Campo de’ Fiori gets, you’d be hard pressed to find a single farmer selling his wares there. Even in the Testaccio Market, which is exponentially more pleasant than Campo, there is only one stall selling farm direct produce. With so little direct contact between producer and consumer, farmer’s markets are a welcome addition to Rome’s food scene.

Back in September 2007, La Citta’ dell’Altra Economia (Largo Dino Frisullo; 39-06-5730-0419), a 3500 square meter organic market complete with a café, conference center, and exhibition spaces, opened in the old slaughterhouse in Testaccio. The wide open spaces and retired corrals on the property host a farmer’s markets every third Sunday of the month. For details, visit the market’s website here.

A short distance away by the Circus Maximus, the Mercato di Campagna Amica (Via San Teodoro, 74; 39-06-4899-3204) is set inside the old Jewish fish market building. Every Saturday and Sunday until June 27, consumers have the rare opportunity to purchase fresh produce, dairy products, cured meats, honey, olive oils, and legumes directly from small producers.