Market Hauls and Local Noms

This year, for the first time in my life, I had the joy of spending nearly all winter in places free from biting cold or heavy snowfall, first in Mexico and then in Senegal. The experience, in addition to doing wonders for my mental and physical health, also made me realize how much I cherish being able to buy local products and connect directly with producers all year long.

In fact, it was during the March 2026 Dakar Farmers Market that I truly understood that the challenge I’d set for myself—to consume local and avoid imported products throughout my stay in Senegal’s capital—was not only feasible but, above all, enriching and enjoyable. This is notably thanks to a community of people who gather once a month to showcase products that are cultivated, crafted, and created locally. Here, I present a few who stood out to me for their passion, creativity, and commitment to local production.

Les Délices de Mamina

Founded by Nancy Bindi, Les Délices de Mamina is a small business specializing in the artisanal transformation of fruits and vegetables into juices, alcoholic punches, ice pops, and preserves made with madd, a sweet-and-sour fruit popular in Senegal. All the products are homemade, with no preservatives, additives, or artificial coloring, and celebrate local flavors. The brand is named after Nancy’s grandmother, Mamina, who used to pick her own fruit, and pays tribute to her late mother, Danielle Jouga, co-founder of Les Confitures de Mamina, the project that gave rise to Les Délices de Mamina.

The finds: The strawberry-madd preserves, with hues of red, orange, and yellow, resemble a sunset, combining the sweetness of strawberries with the tartness of madd, a fruit rich in nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, known for its benefits for digestion and the immune system. Somewhat sweet, somewhat tangy, the madd, mango, and passion fruit preserves provide a natural burst of energy while awakening the senses with a vibrant taste and bright color.

Douxgup et Sexaw

Founded by Maïmouna Cissé, a food product design engineer and passionate cook, Douxgup offers pastries, bite-sized sweets, and savory snacks made from millet. The brand’s signature product is the dougoup beignet, a Senegalese delicacy that Maïmouna decided to start selling after being encouraged by a friend and fellow entrepreneur.

The find: The ‘douxgup’ beignets are soft on the inside with a slightly crunchy exterior. Inspired by traditional recipes passed down from one generation to the next and prepared with wholesome ingredients, they combine authenticity and modernity. More than just a simple snack, they reflect Maïmouna’s commitment to celebrating Senegalese culinary heritage while adding her own creative touch.

As the sister brand to Douxgup, Sexaw offers a healthier alternative to industrial beverages in the form of iced teas made with kinkeliba, a local plant known for strengthening immunity, aiding digestion, relieving stress, and detoxifying the body. Free from preservatives and artificial coloring, Sexaw teas combine the benefits of this plant—nicknamed the ‘long life tisane’ in West Africa—with local fruit juices. All flavors are available with or without added sugar.

The find: A true treat for the taste buds, the madd iced tea is both ultra-refreshing and light, making it ideal for staying hydrated while keeping sugar intake low.

Frolac

Frolac, also known as Fromagerie du Lac, is a family-run artisanal dairy farm located on the edge of Lake Guiers in the village of Keur Momar Sarr in northern Senegal. It follows a sustainable, circular farming model in which cows roam freely and are fed on local plants and forage grown on site, thus contributing to soil health. Committed to promoting local heritage and know-how, the farm processes milk into a range of artisanal dairy products made using environmentally friendly practices.

The finds: With its golden color and creamy texture, the clarified butter (Diw Nior in Wolof) is reminiscent of liquid gold and adds a rich, subtly smoky flavor to any dish. Crafted using renewable energy, the pepper-and-chili gouda from Keur Momar Sarr offers a delightful balance between the mildness of the cheese and the heat of the spices.

La Crème de Ngallakh

Created by sisters Marie-Claude and Sabine Senghor, La Crème de Ngallakh offers an artisanal, ready-to-eat version of the iconic dish known as ngallakh. Traditionally associated with Easter, this Senegalese specialty made with millet, peanut paste, and baobab fruit symbolizes sharing and conviviality, and can be enjoyed all year round.

The find: This brand’s ngallakh stands out for its creamy, smooth, and perfectly homogeneous texture, the result of not one but three filtrations. Marie-Claude and Sabine also add raw nutmeg and vanilla sugar to enhance the flavor. Each container comes with a bag of precooked millet couscous, making it the ultimate zero-effort snack or meal.

Yaye Gourmandises

Awa Faye created the confectionery brand Yaye Gourmandises in 2020, while she was living in Pamplona, Spain. The name Yaye, which means ‘mother’ in Wolof, pays tribute not only to her own mother but also to all the maternal figures who prepare and sell traditional sweets in the markets and streets of Senegal. Inspired by the flavors of her childhood, the products are homemade and free from preservatives.

The finds: In an effort to celebrate Awa’s desire to preserve tradition while adding her own touch of inventivity, I opted for a classic and two original creations: khérou Touba, red bissap (from the Wolof term for hibiscus) cookies, and white bissap cookies. The khérou Touba, inspired by a recipe passed down from Awa’s mother, is a Senegalese shortbread made with simple ingredients such as flour, sugar, margarine, and baking powder. The red bissap cookies combine the tangy freshness of bissap with a delightful crunch, while the white bissap cookies offer a soft texture and a more subtle yet equally delicious flavor.

Part 2 coming soon. In the meantime, head to social media to learn more about the Dakar Farmers Market and the inspiring people you can meet there!

Dakar Farmers Market
Instagram: @dkfarmersmarket

Les Délices de Mamina
Instagram: @les_delices_demamina

Douxgup
Instagram: @douxgup

Sexaw
Instagram: @sexaw_sn

Frolac
Instagram: @fromagerie.du.lac

La Crème de Ngallakh
Instagram: @lacremedengallakh

Yaye Gourmandises
Instagram: @yaye_gourmandises