farmers markets

[shadetree]

...how different farmers markets are across the country...
some say prices are way too high while others argue that the wares are worth the price. Prices vary by geographical location.
How about some input on the prices in your location and what you think.
What about your perspective as a farmer and/or market vendor.
Do people really cheat?
How about a healthy discussion.

[emalineisabear]

I've always found the prices to be fair to cheap.

[Zinniagirl]

Even within about a 25 mile radius, they can vary greatly. For the things I don't grow myself, I don't usually go to farmers' markets because I'm lucky enough to have many farmers and gardeners around me that sell right where the food is grown--they are priced lowest. There are many towns nearby that have markets. Most are still quite reasonable, but there are also markets that cater to the higher end. They are still reasonable if you consider the option of buying lesser quality at grocery stores.

What really surprises me is the number of people who don't seek out farmers or farmers markets. They will drive distances to shop at malls, etc., but think it is too much of a bother to look for truly good quality food.

[mama napier]

There are 6, maybe 7 farm markets (at the farm) within less than 10 miles of my home and several surrounding communities host farmers markets one or two days a week. The markets sell produce they have grown, or that has been grown by other area farms or growers, great for supporting the community. However, if you are looking for hierloom fruits and vegis, you are probably looking in the wrong place. Most of the crops grown for the local markets here tend to be the hybrid varieties that produce mass quantities for the least investment in the least amount of space. I understand from a business point of view, this gives the grower the highest potential for profit, but it is typically not what I am looking for. As for price, some things are about the same some a little more than the suppermarket, but if an item comes close to unusual, it will be at a premium. The time it really pays to shop the farm market it when they have a glut of something and need to move it fast, it will be priced to sell.
Late summer And fall whan fruit crops come in, peaches, apples, ect, is when the big difference is. Higher quality produce, quality varieties, competitve pricing.
the famers markets in the towns tend to be a little pricier since they are bringing the produce to you. If you shop them you need to be aware of what you are looking at and what the going price is.

It would be great to find a market that sells heirloom produce at reasonable prices, even better to be a part of one. but thats just not popular around here. Hope its not like that everywhere

[Darth Slater]

As a seller I avoid farmers markets like the plague, their idea of a fair price and mine are 2 different things..I get 4 to 6 dollars a lb for heirloom tomatoes..and when the word "caning tomatoes" comes up, my response is you get out what you put in.
Most heirloom tomatoes are tastier than their hybrid counter parts and require care when picked as the skins are not Chewy and thick, so that is also a factor in the price.
I sell right to the source, resteraunts and other places.

[Blanesgarden]

Around here, waste of my time. I am my own Farmers Market.

[Mary W]

Fruit and tomatoes in season are generally $2 lb. More for organic and/or heirloom.

[legallyheidi]

http://www.pickyourown.org/PYO.php?U...s/aj_fv020.txt
http://www.pickyourown.org/PYO.php?U...s/aj_fv010.txt
The Atlanta State Farmer's Market updates their average prices online each morning, so it's great to look online to know what to expect...and to know if someone is trying to gouge you. Even though it's about a 45 minute drive, it's still worth it, IMO. The prices are a lot better than in the local grocery stores. We do have random little farmer's booths around town, but I lost all trust in them last year when my "fresh green plums" turned out to have been frozen :/ And if you've ever had a once-frozen green plum, you know how terrible they taste.

[Longtail]

every bosy is crawling out of the shadows to sell at the farmers markets and prices are way too los for me to continue. Iseel direct to markets and at auction now. I get too steamed at the lowballers. maybe, when they wash out I'' go back 5to the farmers markets. But, Im gettin tired of all the work!! been at it a loong time.

[Little Minnie]

Originally Posted by shadetree

...how different farmers markets are across the country...
some say prices are way too high while others argue that the wares are worth the price. Prices vary by geographical location.
How about some input on the prices in your location and what you think.
What about your perspective as a farmer and/or market vendor.
Do people really cheat?
How about a healthy discussion.

What do you mean by cheat? There are markets that let you bring any produce and there are markets where you must produce everything you bring. One vendor at our market cheats on that (we all know.) Not sure what else cheat would mean.

Since I work in pricing at a supermarket I can compare prices easily. generally our market (which is small and not a place for trendy people if you know what I mean) is the same or lower than supermarket. Not sure about Walmart or Aldi prices. We charge by each and no one has scales. *I don't think people realize what they really pay at the grocery store for stuff. * Really look at the prices for green top beets and carrots, kale, kohlrabi, Napa cabbage, baby bok choy, red bell peppers, hot peppers etc. You could be surprised.

So our outside the suburbs market is much lower priced than the urban or fancy suburban markets. 30 miles away in a fancy suburb I could get much more for my produce.