There are “farmer’s markets” and then there are farmer’s markets. Riding your cargo bike to the once-a-week market in the urban hipster neighborhood’s park to pay $5 for a tomato is not the same thing as driving out to the actual state-run farmer’s market and spending $5 for a bushel.
I don’t particularly like the notion that it’s unreasonable to expect to be able to get healthy food at affordable prices without being required to use a car…
Or the conflation of using a cargo bike with being some impractical urban hipster.
I mean, I am an urban hipster with a cargo bike… or would be, if I were hip. That part of the comment was self-satire. (Also, I did not say anything about it being “impractical!”)
As for your first notion, I don’t like it either. Now, to be fair, in addition to those farmers markets and “farmers markets” we do also have regular grocery stores that I can also get to by bike. But still, my comment was about factual reality and my actual experience of how it works in my area, and whether I like it or not doesn’t change it.
I live in a major metropolitan center and the farmers market downtown happens once a week.
The price can actually be quite good but you have to have reasonable expectations. If you see strawberries and there are snow banks outside well… Do the math. On the flip side if something’s in season you can often get a good deal.
A farmer’s market is not a grocery store so it does require a bit of savvy. If you see apples and it’s June those are probably last year’s apples from cold storage etc.
Sometimes people lie about stuff to make money?? Good god, I hope corporate grocery chains don’t learn about this ancient and secret power! Imagine what they might do!
Seriously, that article kinda buries the point about how few people doing it they were able to find - yeah it was happening, but it’s absolutely not some common behavior you can expect at a farmer’s market.
(Edit:) Other great quotes from that article:
In California, for example, each stand is inspected and vendors are required to display a certificate that outlines the produce they grow. No reselling of wholesale or out-of-state produce is permitted and markets are inspected by the state on a quarterly basis. Vendors who are caught breaking the rules can face suspensions, fines or even jail time.
Ed Williams, the man in charge of inspecting markets in Los Angeles County, says the system is important to prevent fraud and ensure “the consumer is not getting ripped off.”
Seems like the conclusion of the article is “we (canada) need to get our shit together, look even the US has this figured out”
But, seriously, my biggest issue with buying from “real” farmer’s markets is the gas and time I spend getting there and the ease of buying WAY more than I will realistically be able to actually eat before it goes bad. It’s so easy to buy too much (For me anyway, that
's probably just a me problem).
There are “farmer’s markets” and then there are farmer’s markets. Riding your cargo bike to the once-a-week market in the urban hipster neighborhood’s park to pay $5 for a tomato is not the same thing as driving out to the actual state-run farmer’s market and spending $5 for a bushel.
Compare:
https://cfmatl.org/
https://atlanta-state-farmers-market.com/
I don’t particularly like the notion that it’s unreasonable to expect to be able to get healthy food at affordable prices without being required to use a car…
Or the conflation of using a cargo bike with being some impractical urban hipster.
I mean, I am an urban hipster with a cargo bike… or would be, if I were hip. That part of the comment was self-satire. (Also, I did not say anything about it being “impractical!”)
As for your first notion, I don’t like it either. Now, to be fair, in addition to those farmers markets and “farmers markets” we do also have regular grocery stores that I can also get to by bike. But still, my comment was about factual reality and my actual experience of how it works in my area, and whether I like it or not doesn’t change it.
I live in a major metropolitan center and the farmers market downtown happens once a week.
The price can actually be quite good but you have to have reasonable expectations. If you see strawberries and there are snow banks outside well… Do the math. On the flip side if something’s in season you can often get a good deal.
A farmer’s market is not a grocery store so it does require a bit of savvy. If you see apples and it’s June those are probably last year’s apples from cold storage etc.
Sometimes “Farmer’s Markets” sell wholesale and even store bought goods for higher prices.
Sometimes people lie about stuff to make money?? Good god, I hope corporate grocery chains don’t learn about this ancient and secret power! Imagine what they might do!
Seriously, that article kinda buries the point about how few people doing it they were able to find - yeah it was happening, but it’s absolutely not some common behavior you can expect at a farmer’s market.
(Edit:) Other great quotes from that article:
Seems like the conclusion of the article is “we (canada) need to get our shit together, look even the US has this figured out”
What am I gonna do with a bushel of to tomatoes?
But, seriously, my biggest issue with buying from “real” farmer’s markets is the gas and time I spend getting there and the ease of buying WAY more than I will realistically be able to actually eat before it goes bad. It’s so easy to buy too much (For me anyway, that 's probably just a me problem).
Preservation (canning, etc) is the usual answer, but don’t underestimate the power of making a shitload of food and giving it away to your neighbors.