TELLING PEOPLE WHERE Tasek Gelugor is has always been a challenge for me – largely because most assume that it is a neighbourhood in the better-known Gelugor suburb on the Island. This overlap of names is unsurprising since the name “Gelugor” is derived from the fruit Asam Gelugor (scientific name Garcinia atroviridis), which is widely cultivated in Penang.
Tasek Gelugor is a town located in Seberang Perai Utara on the mainland. Quiet and unassuming, it is not particularly known for much except for the largest farmers' market (pasar tani) in Penang, which operates there every Sunday morning, rain or shine.
In spite of the impressive size of this market, people tend to be more familiar with the farmers' market in Balik Pulau, on the west side of the Island, which is well-known for its fruits. In truth, the Balik Pulau Farmers’ Market, along with the Tasek Gelugor Farmers’ Market, are among the few remaining farmers’ markets in Penang that have managed to pull through the pandemic. Prior to this, Penang had 21 farmers' markets with 488 vendors, according to the 2019 Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) report – the lowest share in the country. Nevertheless, their total sales value was a high RM 12,723,689, which is more than what Sarawak and Melaka made from their farmers’ markets.[1]
