Where Parma shops, snacks and lunches: the markets worth your morning.
Food markets, farmers markets and covered halls: where Parma shops, snacks and lunches.
Piazza Ghiaia has traded food since 1232 on the Parma torrent's old gravel bed; the glass-roofed square now hosts shops and a twice-weekly farmers' market.
Go for: Produce, Parmigiano, Local farm goods
Tip: Wednesday and Saturday mornings bring the Campagna Amica farm stalls; the rest of the week the square is shops and bar terraces.
Podere Stuard's farm shop on Parma's west side sells what the experimental estate grows: heritage vegetables, Red Cow Parmigiano and old local varieties.
Go for: Vacca Rossa Parmigiano, Heritage produce, Farm shop
Tip: It doubles as a biodiversity project; ask what heirloom variety is in season and build the picnic around it.
La Prosciutteria Silvano Romani hangs the province's salumi over its Farini counter in Parma, slicing prosciutto and culatello for shipping-ready boxes.
Go for: Prosciutto di Parma, Culatello, Gift boxes
Tip: They vacuum-pack for flights and ship within Europe; taste at sister venue Degusteria Romani before committing to whole pieces.
Salumeria Garibaldi stocks Parmigiano Reggiano aged to 100 months and hand-tied culatello on Strada Garibaldi, Parma grocery-shopping at its most serious.
Go for: 100-month Parmigiano, Culatello, Wine
Tip: The extreme-aged Parmigiano wheels are the draw; ask to taste the 60-month against the 100-month before choosing.