Aggrevated at Farmers Market customers complaining about prices

[dancingbear]

Our FM has just gotten approval this year to accept WIC, and Senior coupons, distributed specifically for Farmer's market items. We do not yet have approval/certification or whatever we have to get to accept food stamps, but I think that's in the works, maybe we'll be able to take them by next year.

The WIC coupons and Senior coupons are both in $4 increments, and we cannot give change. We can offer addition produce items in lieu of change. Our prices must be posted. However, we can give extras if we choose, just not less. There are only certain items we allowed to redeem the coupons for. There's a list of produce commonly grown in our area. I can take coupons for green beans, tomatoes, corn, peppers, apples, peaches, etc., but not bananas, citrus fruit, or items that would normally be imported, and not generally grown in KY.

If a customer came to me with any of the coupons we are allowed to take, or food stamps later, when we are able to take those, I would be inclined to give the customer extras, if I have enough to do so. I'd know they were trying hard to get healthy food on a limited income, and I'd want to help them do that.

I will be selling produce at the FM soon, all of my stuff got started late, so I'm behind with all of it. But, my cukes and squash and other things will be in full swing when others have pretty much petered out, so it may work out for the best, anyway. If everybody's not burnt out on that stuff by then, anyway.

 

[Peruvian]

People should care. If a half gallon of milk is $1.69 but a 2 liter bottle of soda is $.99, poor folks are going to choose the soda. But at what cost to society? Why is there an obesity epidemic? Why are health care costs sky rocketing? Who pays the extra amounts in the long run? Cheap is good in the short term only.

Additionally, the USDA finally admitted that anti-biotics in animal feed is leading to the strong anti-biotic drug resistance from disease in humans. By eating foods with antibiotics, we are weakening our immune systems. Again, what health care expenses does this lead to?

The OP could use the USDA's testimony to prove that the chicken that he sells is safer and healthier than the Wal-Mart chicken. What's that worth to you?

 

[agnes_day]

guess what?
there is no obesity epidemic. its just another scare tactic by the government. seriously. it all goes back to money. remember the big tobacco thing? the government made a fortune conning people into turning against tobacco companies, thus making them fair game for raising taxes on cigarettes and such. seriously..if cigarettes are so evil and deadly ( i dont smoke, myself) then why arent they just outlawed? because they bring in the bucks. in a few years, when they have taxed sugar, or whatever they manage to tax, they will make even more money and they will have moved on.
people are so spoon fed by the media these days and are so willing to accept the government babysitting them..its pathetic, really.
not only that,some people really do think that the government is doing it all for the safety and health of society...seriously! no, they are playing on peoples naivety and fears to rake in the almighty dollar.

 

[AnnainMD]

Scubaforlife, the 2 farmer's markets closest to us are completely different from each other. The one we go to is a producer's only market while the other is "bring things in from other places and nothing is homemade".
As others have said in response, it's education that CAN make the difference. Unfortunately, "can" is not "will", there are plenty of people who choose the cheapest, no matter where it comes from or how it got there. Sigh.
Good luck!

 

[Buster52]

***lame attempt at humor deleted in order to avoid hurt feelings***

 

[agnes_day]

basically, yes.
try turning off the tv for once and thinking for yourself. you might be capable of independent thought.

 

[eKo_birdies]

Quote:
Yes, all these fat Okies I see around here are just figments of my imagination and a vicious government conspiracy.

haha, agreed. love it. try going to the iowa state fair (where i was born and raised) and tell me there isn't an obesity epidemic.

 

[CarriageStone]

Take a look at the pictures of that same fair from when you were a kid and see if you don't find a fair amount of obese people. It's no different now than it was then. Much like the headlines of certain types of cancer on the rise. Is it a rise in cancer or a rise in the quality of screening that is finding them?

At 6'-0" tall and 205 lbs. I was considered obese. Yet I had 6% body fat. Go figure.

 

[BarefootMom]

Something I saw the otherday at the Farmer's Market- there was a booth selling chickens, eggs, and were advertising fresh grass fed beef- their prices were higher than some BUT they were selling like crazy---They had a TV playing the movie Food., INC- people really stopped and watched. I haven't bought frozen Chicken from the grocery store since January-when I saw that movie. People are just uneducated on what they eat. I was to an extent- I was raised on grass-fed beef and fresh pork but never worried about buying chicken for some reason. I now know better.

 

[redhen]

Give me a break folks.. There is no epidemic..
The reason people are fat is because they are lazy and unmotivated..
Yes, i'm speaking about myself.... L.A.Z.Y. ... If i made an effort i could lose my weight...
It has nothing to do with an "epidemic" .. its has to do with gluttony. Which is a personal choice...
OOh..yeah..i could always use my under-active thyroid as an excuse.... but..nah.. i'm fat simply cause i'm lazy and dont want to make any effort right now.
Its not rocket science..

As for the original topic... I have to agree.. some of the farmers market prices are too high for my taste too....
We generally shop at our local supermarkets for meat...
BUT.. there is a farm up the road that now has some grass fed beef that i'm dying to try... (i'll let ya'll know if i find its taste any better than the meat i usually buy at the store.... )