Abstract
Cities are multi-purpose tourism destinations. The objective in this paper is to examine an emerging
new phenomenon in the leisure tourism economies of South African cities, namely the growth of food
markets – sometimes referred to as farmers’ markets – which are attracting international and local
attention as new foci for leisure and recreation. During the past two decades an increasing number of
food markets have appeared in several South African cities with many flourishing as leisure foci for both
local residents and tourists. Economic impact studies would certainly show economic stimulus accruing
from such markets. The extent and characteristics of food markets in Gauteng and food market
entrepreneurs are under scrutiny in this investigation.