farmer's markets

**dmarie** · 08-24-2009, 03:27 PM

Two day's a week we have a farmer's market where we are suppose to get the greatest deals and best local produce.
Well i went Saturday and was quiet put off. They had these local strawberries for 2.50 a pint and Cantaloupe for .79lb. Here's the thing they were not organic, the grocery store down the block had organic Strawberries for 1.49 a pint and cantaloupe from California for .19lb I tried to buy a few things from this market but to be honest i can't see paying more. Am i the only one that feels this way?

**AmyBoz** · 08-24-2009, 03:31 PM

Farmer's Markets around here are not the cheapest, by far, but are certainly the freshest.

**Grainlady** · 08-24-2009, 03:50 PM

We have a city ordinance where the 1-day a week Farmer's Market must price their produce the same as the local grocery stores. If you want a "bargain" you talk to the "farmer". They are picking produce 7-days a week and can't get rid of it quick enough and would probably be happy for you to come visit their place and pick-up anything you want or need, especially if you are needing large quantities for canning or dehydrating.

**perSue** · 08-24-2009, 04:06 PM

I know here if a farmer wants to sell his/her crops locally (non-grocer), then they have to go through a commercially owned building/business to sell. There used to be a big old warehouse they'd use years ago, but someone apparently saw a great market, bought it out, and now the farmers have to pay booth prices...so the price of produce/eggs/dairy/meat is more than double what you'll find in a grocery. But many are able or willing to pay it, I guess.
The "farmer's market" now has more coffee shops and trinket booths than food anymore.
The road-side stands are almost gone, most people just sell to grocer's. It's sad really... I'd love real fresh good produce and to know who I'm buying from... not a retailer.

**lisaflex** · 08-24-2009, 08:27 PM

i dont think they are supposed to be the cheapest, but the freshest...

**gratitude** · 08-24-2009, 11:00 PM

I enjoy farmers markets, things do seem a bit fresher...
I am one who likes to know where my food came from, if not from my backyard, than the closer to home the better........
I was a bit dissapointred to learn though that a lot of stuff sold at farmers markets is the same stuff from the grocery store, usaually with a higher price. CSA's can b the way to go sometimes if u can afford i. u dont get to pick what u want per se but you do know that it is locally grown!

**frugalfranny** · 08-24-2009, 11:14 PM

Our farmers markets are always more than the stores too.......but........they haven't been nuked, waxed, coated, trucked
1000s of miles.......so are fresher and 'cleaner'........and will have some 'garden taste' to them.

**calimomx2** · 08-24-2009, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

Our farmers markets are always more than the stores too.......but........they haven't been nuked, waxed, coated, trucked
1000s of miles.......so are fresher and 'cleaner'........and will have some 'garden taste' to them.

totally agree and I like knowing I'm supporting local farmers!

**Ocean_Beach_Dweller** · 08-24-2009, 11:25 PM

I've tried to support farmer's markets, but I just can't see past the high prices, even if the produce is the freshest. I found a regular grocery store(local not a chain) that sells produce for pretty cheap and it's local, and seems pretty fresh so i've been sticking with that for now.

**pollypurebred39** · 08-24-2009, 11:40 PM

.19 cents a lb. for for cantalope and $1.49 for organic strawberries! Wowza those are some low produce prices. Our grocery store out here this week offered oranges .99 cents a piece! That was their sale! A head of cabbage at the grocery cost around $6. Farmers markets out this way are by far the best deal. A head of cabbage $1, the end of the night Sunday 2 or 3 heads for a $1 same thing for all their produce. We buy bushels of apples, and onions really cheap on Sunday nights. None of the farmers want to drag them back home. 50 pounds of potatoes are $14.50 all the time. Maybe because it's close to Amish country, I'm not sure.

**Sassyclass** · 08-24-2009, 11:52 PM

Our Farmer's Market is and open air market held on Saturday's. I suggest carrying the sale ad from the store with you and if the price is too high show them the ad and ask if they will lower their price. Like OP's stated, they want to get rid of their produce. The worst that can happen is they say no and you can walk away. I prefer fresh to overhandled any day.

Cat

**Nana2two** · 08-25-2009, 01:38 AM

We have one also on Thursday. about a 3 weeks ago i sent my daughterthere to get some zucchini, i wanted only 10 of them, im thinking small ones, OH MY GOSH, she carried in 4 huge bags in.These things were massive. I shredded and sliced them all. We paid around 12 ithink

**Thevail** · 08-25-2009, 02:23 AM

Our farmer's market prices are about ten cents a pound higher than the cheap grocery store, but about 10 cents a pound lower than the expensive grocery store. But theyn have better quality and fresher produce than the "gourmet" store. So we shop there if we can. Honestly, it just "keeps" longer so we have less wasted stuff.

**nadine64** · 08-25-2009, 03:02 AM

Our farmers market is not cheapest either, but for freshness they can't be beat. I feel it's also great to support our local farmers instead of the big chains. My family can certainly taste the difference in the produce.

**Denvergirlie** · 08-25-2009, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by dmarie

Am i the only one that feels this way?

Well I don't feel that way myself. I would so much rather support a local farmer, than some large agri-business that picks it's produce before it's ripe with 3rd world wages and then ship the food thousands of miles, just so I could save a few cents.

Local farmer is a part of my community, he will spend his money in the local area, and the money will be cycled again.

But it's not a cost thing so much as it is voting with my dollars as to what kind of things I will support. Plus the food really is that much better as it was allowed to riped fully before being pciked and making maybe a 100 mile trip instead of a 3,000 mile trip.