7. The market tradition is very much alive in Italy.
There are fewer supermarkets scattered around Rome compared to many other big cities, the reason being that many Romans still go to the market and specialized shops to select their ingredients from the merchants they’ve come to trust over the years. Big markets are open daily until 1 PM and they sell everything from fresh fish to toothpaste and clothing. Although the easily accessible one-stop-shop supermarkets are gaining in popularity, politicians, cooks, foodies and artisans are all fighting to keep the market tradition alive.
At the Testaccio market: A woman carefully selecting her vegetables and a merchant known as the “Tomato Philosopher” for his vast knowledge about tomatoes.