A new farmer's market recently started on Tuesday afternoons near my son's preschool, and I decided to check it out. I was not impressed to say the least. First of all, half of the market wasn't even food -- just junky impulse purchase stuff, tupperware, etc. The next quarter was food booths -- gyros, crepes, etc. Only the last quarter had actual produce, and it didn't appear to me to be much cheaper than the supermarket, nor was the quality noticibly better. I picked up some tomatoes, but they certainly didn't match the home-grown taste I was hoping for.
This is the 4th farmers market I've checked out, and they all seem pretty much the same. Maybe I live just too deep in surburbia to get really good quality stuff at a market.
Not impressed with the farmer's markets
August 3rd, 2009 at 07:18 am
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:29 pm 1249302580
August 3rd, 2009 at 01:26 pm 1249305984
Ours also began long ago with strictly produce, probably 25+ booths. I live in a suburban area not far from LA (how's that for city??), but with strong ties to it's ag origins. We still have much strawberry, lemon, avocado and other strongholds nearby. But yes there is a mobile coffeehouse, kettle corn etc. (OK, we all love the coffee man)
That said, a local citizen group started an adjacent art/craft corner at the market last year. I have a booth with handmade jewelry. Our fee goes to the nonprofit (slow growth/grass roots group). Yes, they let tupperware in lately although most of the booths are artists. I can understand, because when there are weeks with too few booths, they are more open to other businesses.
Final point, don't expect the vegetables to be CHEAPER at the market. It usually is better quality, more nutritious and in the loooooong run, a MUCH better way to live on the planet. Please consider that. The only better way to help Mother Earth is growing your own in the back yard (which we do plenty in our 16'x24' lot).
Good to see you give it a try, don't give up please.
August 3rd, 2009 at 04:59 pm 1249318752
From your post it sounds like what you want is a produce stand. Fruit and veg only, performances for and by the regulars.
August 4th, 2009 at 12:41 am 1249346508
August 14th, 2009 at 07:40 pm 1250278809
Jerry