Market Vendor Day: State Government has already invested R$ 100 million in fairs and markets in Pará
28 fairs and markets have been built and rebuilt, and 10 are under construction. Investment strengthens the work of those who live from the trade throughout Pará.
This Monday, the 25th, is celebrated as Market Vendor Day. Pará has the largest open-air market in Latin America, Ver-o-Peso. The State Government recognizes the strength of this segment for the state economy, and since 2019, it has invested over R$ 100 million in the construction and reconstruction of 28 fairs and markets throughout Pará, with 10 ongoing projects. These interventions contribute to improving services, generating more jobs, income, and quality of life for workers and their families. Support occurs on two fronts: through the Secretary of Agricultural Development and Fisheries (Sedap), with the Directorate of Fairs and Markets (DFM), and through the Secretary of Public Works (Seop), with the construction and renovation of spaces in various municipalities.
“The works of the Government of Pará in fairs and markets have ensured more dignified environments for people's work. The population leaves home knowing they will be well received to do their shopping, without the risks of disease proliferation. These are investments that maintain and generate new jobs for market vendors, this class so important for income generation and the development of the cities' economies,” says Ruy Cabral, Secretary of Public Works.
Created on April 12, 2022, the DFM/Sedap works alongside market vendors, providing equipment, courses, and care actions. The Directorate, in partnership with the Ver-o-Peso Institute, has benefited over 1,863 market vendors with the delivery of 7,400 pieces of equipment (such as freezers, industrial stoves, scales, display cases, and knife kits) and has promoted training to improve sales and customer service. It has also provided health and citizenship services — document issuance, vaccinations, blood pressure checks, rapid tests — which have already reached over 5,000 workers. The DFM also organizes the Fut Feira championship, the Pitiú Race, and the Market Vendors' Festival, actions that promote sports, social interaction, and well-being.
“The creation of a Directorate of Fairs and Markets was a great achievement, as well as appointing a market vendor like me to be the director, and our team also includes other market vendors who understand the daily life of workers in the field. We are providing training, capacity building, renovations, and revitalization of our fairs and markets. Regarding equipment, we have already delivered over six thousand to market vendors. And now we have a very big challenge, the revitalization of the Barreiro Market,” highlights Manoel Rendeiro (Didi do Ver-o-Peso), Director of Fairs and Markets at Sedap.
Those who feel the difference in their daily lives confirm it. Kátia Cilene Melo, who sells meals at the São Brás Market, says: “I received a freezer, an industrial stove, and a set of pots from the Directorate of Fairs and Markets. Getting everything new helped a lot in my work. I think it’s great to have a Directorate like this in the government that is always by the side of market vendors.”
On the infrastructure side, since 2019, Seop has delivered 28 fairs and markets and has 10 projects underway in the State. Improvements include accessibility, electrical networks, water supply, fire prevention, restrooms, and sales areas — as has already happened at the Terra Firme Market and the Farinha Market (Guamá) in Belém, and in cities like Jacundá, Bragança, Xinguara, Ananindeua, Benevides, Breves, Salvaterra, and others.
In Tucuruí, the Government of Pará delivered the first module of the New Municipal Market on July 4, 2024: a complete renovation of blocks for clothing, grocery/market, animal feed and grains, pet shop, food, and beauty salon, with 97 stalls and two restrooms. The City Hall reported that on September 8, it will deliver 60 new stalls (2nd phase), enhancing comfort and organization. Those who work there already see the change. Evandro Gonçalves reports: “I remember very well how the market was destroyed. And today I see, after the renovation, the improvement that is happening, the space is becoming much more climate-controlled, much better. I am very optimistic about continuing in this field and being successful in this new space.”
In the Ver-o-Peso complex, Rafael Ferreira, from the tapioca flour and forest flavors segment, also approved the improvements: “I have already received support for training courses and structural improvements through the Directorate of Fairs and Markets. (…) This has helped me a lot in professionalizing and improving my work, enhancing customer service and valuing our products from the Amazon rainforest.”
Balance in numbers
• 28 fairs and markets delivered by Seop since 2019
• 10 projects underway in various municipalities
• 1,863+ market vendors directly benefited by DFM/Sedap
• 7,400 pieces of equipment delivered (freezers, stoves, scales, display cases, etc.)
• 5,000+ health and citizenship services provided at the fairs
Events: Fut Feira (4th edition), Pitiú Race, and Market Vendors' Festival
With works, equipment, courses, and care for people, Pará celebrates Market Vendor Day reinforcing a simple and important commitment: to value those who put fresh food on families' tables and drive the economy in all cities of the State.
Text by Arthur Sobral
