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When I was little we would go to the farmer's market every week. It was at the fair grounds and we pulled up to a huge lot filled with semi trucks. The trucks opened up in rows and people would walk down and buy by the bushel off the back of the trucks. It was super cheap. Of course there were more farmers then too, driving the price down.
Last year it got to the point that I couldn't afford to shop at the farmer's market though. The prices are 2-3 times the store prices. For essentially the same produce. Ohio is very good about getting locally grown produce into the grocery stores. I can buy Ohio corn for $2 a dozen at the grocery, but it is $5.50 a dozen at the farmer's market. Why would I do that?
I read an article last week that people shouldn't go to farmer's markets hoping to save money on produce. They should go prepared to spend lots of money, and consider it entertainment, not grocery shopping. It said that shopping at the farmer's market was an "experience" that you should expect to spend money on. I don't really agree.
I like going to the farmer's market, but I don't like feeling ripped off trying to support local farmers, which normally I am all for doing. Plus, most of the farmer's markets in my area are not all food. In fact, many times only about half the booths are food. Others are jewelry, baskets, pottery, pet items, cooking demos, soap etc.
Honestly I am there for the food. I want to get good deals on food products, in quantity so that I can preserve it for the winter. I don't want to spend $10 a pound on cheese. I don't want soap. If you want to have these things great, but still have reasonably priced produce too. If I were to get all my produce at the farmer's market it would eat up my entire grocery budget. I just can't afford it. So as much as I would love to spend the morning wandering the farmer's market, it won't be happening this year because it is so much more money than buying it in the stores. Has anyone else experienced this?
Monday, June 29, 2009
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9 comments:
Your post makes me want to go check out our big farmer's market! I went once last year and I remember saying that alot of them were the same prices as the grocery stores. I do have a local stand that has good prices I go too. I have been getting most of my fruits at Aldi's this year.
We went to farms or farmers markets to get produce when I was a child, too.
Every time I go to one now, I tend to leave empty-handed. Kroger in our area usually has local produce for a really good price.
Michael's Farm would probably be the only exception. We don't get to their farm store every year, but when we do we tend to get a pretty good deal on their potatoes.
I agree 100%! We have a few farmers markets in my area, and I have found that I can do better at "produce junction" or the market, by shopping the sales. I like the idea of supporting local farmers but like you said, if I bought all my produce at the farmers market I wouldn't have any $$ left in my grocery budget. I also have found the same deal with CSA's, very costly.
Coleen
Oh My Gosh! I feel the same way! But, there seems to be so much "pressure" to support local farmers. But how can working families on a limited budget pay $50+ week on farmer's market produce.
Thank you so much for putting into words what I've been thinking (and then feeling guilty about it) for a while now.
i totaly agree with your statment.
I think that farmers should ower the price again. then that would be great.
abby fuerst
we have the Goshen Market here, but I wouldn't necessarily call it a farmer's market. It is basically what you described..a few produce stands and other "stuff". And the prices are ridiculously high. However I have found another alternative..someone I know is starting a produce co-op in a nearby town and we will get our first delivery on Thursday. For $23 I will be getting: cantalopes, pineapples, granny smith apples, green onions, white onions, bi-color corn, mushrooms, brocolli, celery, carrots, romaine lettuce, white grapes, tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries and bananas.
I couldn't agree more. I really love going to Farmer's Market. However, the last couple years the prices have really gotten ridiculous. $2 for peppers, $4 dollars for a quart of strawberries, you have to be rich to buy there. Really the only reason to go would be for the scene. So many people are selling other goods and at our local market every one and their brother brings their DOGS! It is like a pet reunion. I don't get it.
I agree-every now and then I make it just to see if I'm missing something. After all, I read in magazines, etc. to go there but time after time the prices are higher than I can find elsewhere. Also, I worked for a farmer's market in college (okay a long time ago!!) but I know that we were sending multiple trucks out to farmer's markets in a 3 state area. So much for being "local"
I am trying a CSA this year for the first time. I'm doing a half share (actually splitting a full-share with a friend) so it cost me $180 for 13 weeks worth of produce. I'm eager to see what I end up with - our first week is July 14. At less than $15 a week, it seems really affordable so I hope we end up with a good amount of produce. I decided to try this because it was supporting a local farm but also because it would give me a variety of produce that I don't normally buy. We have the same problems with farmers markets up here in MI.
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