Aggrevated at Farmers Market customers complaining about prices

[scubaforlife]

I decided to get more involved since it is in my town and they are struggling.

I think a Fresh showing might help educate.

 

[Buster52]

Quote:
Same here. It frustrates me that people have to few local options, especially where it comes to meat. So, I'm stepping up more because I believe in it than because of the money.

And FRESH is an excellent film. Better than Food, Inc.

 

[HeidiG]

The VB Farmers Market has the same problem - hard to tell what's really local, and what's not.

I think that if people want Wal-Mart prices they should go to Wal-Mart. The prices are so cheap because they mistreat the animals, the workers, and the land from the farm to the cooler case. They sell it cheaper, but sell so much of it that they still make millions while we poison our bodies on the garbage they're selling us.

Meanwhile, your local guy cares for his animals, his workers, and the land. He's probably just making enough to get by - not getting rich. I'd much rather pay $3.50 per pound to someone who's a good steward, than pay $.99 per pound to feed the corporate maw. People waste too much as it is. One chicken can make lots of meals if you just plan a little. If you know what you're doing, paying $3.50 per pound for a chicken doesn't blow your whole grocery budget, and you don't have to be rich to eat fresh and eat local.

Ok... getting off my soapbox now.

 

[dancingbear]

People also don't consider the fact that you're sitting in a tent, often in the sun, depending on the time of day, NOT BEING PAID for your time, after you grew the produce (or raised the critters), washed it, (or processed it, or paid to have it processed, depending on laws in your state) boxed it up, schlepped it to the market, set up your display, you probably paid for your tent, your tables, etc., and made price signs for your goods...just so you can listen to them complain about the price of your fresh, straight from the farm, local produce or meat.

Maybe leaflets containing info about just how that food gets to the FM might be helpful. People do need to be educated, they've been raised on cheap goods, and instant gratification. Most just don't know any better.

 

[kla37]

We much prefer to shop for meat and produce at farmer's markets. Yes, it IS more expensive, but it's MUCH healthier and very worth it. People talk about being able to get a "deal" on chicken at WalMart, but then spend $80 on a freakin video game. We don't eat a lot of meat, but the meat we do buy is from local growers we know, and probably was one of the cows or chickens on the farms we drive by everyday. The humane factor in how the animals lived is as important as the health factor for us.

 

[Red Maple Farms]

Quote:
By buying chicken at WalMart, people have enough money left over to buy a video game.

Today I got corn at WalMart for $0.10 an ear.

I for one will not buy chicken at $3.50 a pound. That's way too much. I sell free range ducks for $2.25 a pound, and couldn't imagine charging $3.50 a pound.

 

[Buster52]

Quote:
By buying chicken at WalMart, people have enough money left over to buy a video game.

By skipping the video game, other people can afford fresh, healthy, sustainably grown vegetables and humanely raised and slaughtered meat from local farmers who deserve to make a decent living. Cuts both ways.

It's all about priorities.

 

[Buster52]

Quote:
+1

 

[kcsunshine]

Today I got corn at WalMart for $0.10 an ear.

Obviously you've never had corn fresh from the garden or you wouldn't take corn from WalMart if it was FREE! They hate to see me coming. I tell everyone I see in there picking through their stale stuff to put it back and come to the Farmers Market for REAL food.​

 

[Red Maple Farms]

Quote:
I think the tricky word here is "deserve".