Aggrevated at Farmers Market customers complaining about prices

[scubaforlife]

I think I am going to drop this market anyway. They are allowing "farmers" to bring produce from another state. We have several "producers" that simply take things and put them together. There is an Orchard and Bakery that uses pie filling and crusts from Sysco and assembles pies. There is a dairy that doesn't milk cows, just makes cheese.

I am a bit outraged at the fact that the Farmers Market is being taken over by these types of vendors.

 

[Buster52]

Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay :

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I really don't like that idea of throwing mud on the "big guys", don't forget that these are still farmers with families to feed.
Plus, even though the butcher has all these pictures and tells you how it "really is", it still might not be "how it really is", not everyone does things the same. Too much of our "information" has been twisted to spin it to make you think "their way", it would be worth looking into how these animals are really raised for yourself.

I do like the idea of having a breakdown of the costs of raising the food, I think more people need to know where food comes from, and need to know there is a face behind the food they eat.

I am sure the photos weren't sensationalized one bit either.​

I doubt they needed it.

In general, I don't blame farmers who are forced to raise their birds a certain way, although I'm sure some are better than others, just like anywhere in life. It's the system that I object to.

As do many farmers market customers. People are willing to pay a premium for something they believe in. The sudden spike in farmers market use is due in large part to Food, Inc., no doubt.

There is nothing wrong with comparing your product and how it was raised with your competitors'. That's just good marketing.

 

[Peruvian]

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This is indeed something the market manager/board needs to address. By allowing vendors to sell items that they did not make/produce/etc. directly it waters down the credibility of the market and basically turns it into a weekly street fair.

 

[dancingbear]

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This is indeed something the market manager/board needs to address. By allowing vendors to sell items that they did not make/produce/etc. directly it waters down the credibility of the market and basically turns it into a weekly street fair.

I agree. Our own FM has rules to prevent that. You have to have at least 50% of the goods you offer grown or produced on your own farm. So I could sell mostly my own produce, and be allowed to also offer honey that my buddy the beekeeper supplies. He also has to be in the state, only KY grown/produced goods are allowed. I can sell home-baked bread, but it must contain something I grew here, like jalapeños or garlic or herbs or something.

Do you go to the FM meetings, and make your voice heard? I know it won't be, if you're outnumbered, I'm hoping you're not.

 

[burquechick]

I don't know if somebody already said this, so forgive me if I'm repeating someone, but I would hand out flyers with my chickens, educating ppl on the benefits of eating locally grown, cared for chickens, the flavor, etc., and compare to battery chickens, including photos. In other words, show people exactly what they are buying.

 

[honeydoll]

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That would be very annoying. I would express my opinion at a meeting or to the manager. You may find you are not alone, and get some more support.

 

[PhilErvin]

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I agree, educate the public, PROMOTE - PROMOTE - PROMOTE !

 

[HeidiG]

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I know exactly what you mean! It's getting harder and harder to buy local anymore! I went by my local "farmers market" a couple of days ago, and there was a truck from a produce company out back unloading boxes!! It's the same stuff that's in the grocery store.

I buy my broilers from a local farm, and they charge $3.50 lb. They're pasture raised and organic, and I think it's a more than fair price. Stick to your guns, and don't let the nim-wits discourage you!

 

[sticksoup]

I wish I could get home grown chicken for $3.50 a pound.

 

[aprophet]

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this is kina how it is here at virginia beach farmers market it is highly organized and the prices show at a coupla of the smaller ones and especially the inner city markets we / they expect prices to be cheaper then the grocery store because the processor has been cut out of the loop the middleman the folks that shop at the downtown markets do not care about niche products it just needs to be as cheap as wally world.