Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
reasons why they should be cheaper:

1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs

2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.

3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
do monkey work.

I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
than make up for that.

Mr. Nonsense > wrote:

>Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
>reasons why they should be cheaper:
>
>1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>
>2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>
>3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>do monkey work.
>
>I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>than make up for that.

Market pricing, dude.


S.

In article
>,
"Mr. Nonsense" > wrote:

> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>
> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>
> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>
> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
> do monkey work.
>
> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
> than make up for that.

You're going to the wrong farmer's markets.

My local one is as cheap or (usually) cheaper than supermarkets, and the
produce is much better.

Miche

--
Electricians do it in three phases

On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:18:48 +1200, Miche >
shouted from the highest rooftop:

>In article
>,
> "Mr. Nonsense" > wrote:
>
>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
>> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>>
>> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>>
>> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>>
>> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>> do monkey work.
>>
>> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>> than make up for that.
>
>You're going to the wrong farmer's markets.
>
>My local one is as cheap or (usually) cheaper than supermarkets, and the
>produce is much better.

Same here. And not only cheaper, but far better quality and choice.

--

una cerveza mas por favor ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~
Wax-up and drop-in of Surfing's Golden Years: <http://www.surfwriter.net>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mr. Nonsense" > wrote in message
...
> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>
> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>
> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>
> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
> do monkey work.
>
> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
> than make up for that.

Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage than the
big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick instead of having
a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more selective of actually
ripe produce.

They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not shipping
truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market day. What you
perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.

Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> "Mr. Nonsense" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
>> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>>
>> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>>
>> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>>
>> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>> do monkey work.
>>
>> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>> than make up for that.
>
> Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage than the
> big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick instead of having
> a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more selective of actually
> ripe produce.
>
> They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not shipping
> truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market day. What you
> perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.
>
>

I agree, the local farmer's market is close to twice the cost, as the
local grocery.

Bob

Ed Pawlowski said...

>
> "Mr. Nonsense" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
>> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>>
>> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>>
>> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>>
>> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>> do monkey work.
>>
>> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>> than make up for that.
>
> Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage than
> the big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick instead of
> having a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more selective of
> actually ripe produce.
>
> They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not shipping
> truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market day. What
> you perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.


Mornin' Ed

Sorry to piggyback.

I disagree with the OP. I can go to the ACME supermarket and pay 2-3x the
price of the farmer's market (produce market) across the street. I haven't
bought produce at the ACME in years!

The farm industry in and around the Delaware Valley (PA, NJ, DE) region
seasonally produce a wealth of crops to the farmer's markets. A lot of year
round produce from around the country also arrives on a pretty steady
basis, and it's fairly priced. http://i43.tinypic.com/289npv.jpg (from a
couple years ago.

Andy
--
"I only know what I read, not what I'm talking about!"
--Andy

Andy wrote:
> Ed Pawlowski said...
>
>> "Mr. Nonsense" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
>>> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>>>
>>> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>>>
>>> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>>>
>>> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>>> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>>> do monkey work.
>>>
>>> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>>> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>>> than make up for that.
>> Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage than
>> the big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick instead of
>> having a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more selective of
>> actually ripe produce.
>>
>> They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not shipping
>> truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market day. What
>> you perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.
>
>
> Mornin' Ed
>
> Sorry to piggyback.
>
> I disagree with the OP. I can go to the ACME supermarket and pay 2-3x the
> price of the farmer's market (produce market) across the street. I haven't
> bought produce at the ACME in years!
>
> The farm industry in and around the Delaware Valley (PA, NJ, DE) region
> seasonally produce a wealth of crops to the farmer's markets. A lot of year
> round produce from around the country also arrives on a pretty steady
> basis, and it's fairly priced. http://i43.tinypic.com/289npv.jpg (from a
> couple years ago.
>
> Andy

Nothing wrong with disagreeing. What is within your experience is just that.

Bo

Bob Muncie said...

> Andy wrote:
>> Ed Pawlowski said...
>>
>>> "Mr. Nonsense" > wrote in message
>>> ..
>>> .
>>>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>>>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of
>>>> three reasons why they should be cheaper:
>>>>
>>>> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>>>>
>>>> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>>>>
>>>> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>>>> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>>>> do monkey work.
>>>>
>>>> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>>>> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>>>> than make up for that.
>>> Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage
>>> than the big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick
>>> instead of having a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more
>>> selective of actually ripe produce.
>>>
>>> They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not
>>> shipping truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market
>>> day. What you perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.
>>
>>
>> Mornin' Ed
>>
>> Sorry to piggyback.
>>
>> I disagree with the OP. I can go to the ACME supermarket and pay 2-3x
>> the price of the farmer's market (produce market) across the street. I
>> haven't bought produce at the ACME in years!
>>
>> The farm industry in and around the Delaware Valley (PA, NJ, DE) region
>> seasonally produce a wealth of crops to the farmer's markets. A lot of
>> year round produce from around the country also arrives on a pretty
>> steady basis, and it's fairly priced. http://i43.tinypic.com/289npv.jpg
>> (from a couple years ago.
>>
>> Andy
>
> Nothing wrong with disagreeing. What is within your experience is just
> that.


Yep!

The ACME actually had the nerve to dump their baby artichokes onto the
"large artichokes" labeled shelf @ $2/ea. I just about wanted to laugh.
There's highway robbery for ya!!!

Andy
--
"I only know what I read, not what I'm talking about!"
--Andy

On Jun 24, 12:36*am, "Mr. Nonsense" > wrote:
> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>
> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>
> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>
> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
> do monkey work.
>
> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
> than make up for that.

I find quite the opposite! My local "farmer's markets" are much less
expensive than my local grocery stores on most produce. Sometimes they
are AS expensive, owing to the fact that not all the produce farmer's
markets get is actually direct from farmers (they get it through the
same mass food distribution networks that grocery stores do), but
never more expensive than grocery stores.

Just my experience!

John Kuthe...

Shawn Hirn wrote:
> In article >,
> Bob Muncie > wrote:
>
>> Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>> "Mr. Nonsense" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>>>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
>>>> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>>>>
>>>> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>>>>
>>>> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>>>>
>>>> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>>>> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>>>> do monkey work.
>>>>
>>>> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>>>> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>>>> than make up for that.
>>> Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage than
>>> the
>>> big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick instead of having
>>> a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more selective of actually
>>> ripe produce.
>>>
>>> They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not shipping
>>> truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market day. What you
>>> perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.
>>>
>>>
>> I agree, the local farmer's market is close to twice the cost, as the
>> local grocery.
>
> Is your "local farmer's market" really selling locally grown produce? I
> seriously doubt it.


Straight from their farm.

Bob

On Jun 24, 6:43*am, "Michael \"Dog3\"" > wrote:
> "Mr. Nonsense" > *news:b5e09651-e24f-422a-b935-
> : in rec.food.cooking
>
> > Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
> > I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
> > reasons why they should be cheaper:
>
> > 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>
> > 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>
> > 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
> > In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
> > do monkey work.
>
> > I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
> > economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
> > than make up for that.
>
> I haven't found that to be the case except with some of the yuppie type
> "farmer's market" places we have. *Yes, you'll find more expensive
> pricing at the Kirkwood Farmer's Market than the supermarket but the
> Soulard Farmer's Market is much less expensive. *What I've seen is *the
> Kirkwood place sells the same stuff they sell in the supermarkets (with
> some exceptions of course), while Soulard is local farmers selling
> locally grown produce.
>
> I prefer to support the local people around here. *You'll save money and
> the quality of the produce is superior to the produce found in the
> supermarkets and faux farmer's markets.
>
> Michael
>
> --
> “Always tell the truth - it's the easiest thing to remember”
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ~ American Playwright David Mamet
>
> You can find me at: - michael at lonergan dot us dot com

Exactly! Yuppified farmer's markets are a joke! In STL I go to the
Market In The Loop now just because it's so close to where I live.
Previously (and sometimes I still do) I shopped at Soulard.

But you don't always get better quality at true farmer's markets,
you've got to watch out for what you buy. In grocery stores and
yuppified farmer's markets they have store employees who throw out the
questionable stiff so you don't have to. (Part of the reason it's more
expemsive!)

John Kuthe...

Miche wrote:

> "Mr. Nonsense" > wrote:
>
>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this.

> You're going to the wrong farmer's markets.
>
> My local one is as cheap or (usually) cheaper than supermarkets, and
> the produce is much better.

My local farmer's market is pretty cheap, I come home with bags
of stuff for not a lot of money. All local farms, you can see their name
and location at the booths. There are some expensive things like
cheeses. There are also some bakeries from up north that sell
some great bread.

Now they are starting a new farmer's market in my town, by the
train station. It's being done by some 'farmer's market' company.
This doesn't look like it will be cheap or local, there are a lot of
categories like jewelry and furniture ... more like a crafts show.
I'll go, I just don't expect it to be like the other market.

nancy

Shawn Hirn wrote:
> In article >,
> "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote:
>
>> "Mr. Nonsense" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
>>> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>>>
>>> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>>>
>>> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>>>
>>> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>>> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>>> do monkey work.
>>>
>>> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>>> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>>> than make up for that.
>> Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage than the
>> big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick instead of having
>> a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more selective of actually
>> ripe produce.
>>
>> They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not shipping
>> truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market day. What you
>> perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.
>
> Some farmers markets are really just supermarkets in disguise where
> their produce is not locally grown. In farmers markets where their stuff
> is locally grown, I have found them to be cheaper than supermarkets.

We had one like that here a few years ago. I seriously doubt there were
any farmers there. It was more of a flea market and sellers bought
crates of produce somewhere to sell. I think people realized what it was
about and it isn't here anymore.

> "Mr. Nonsense" wrote:
>
> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?

Not "always" but most usually.... because a "farmer's market" is not a "farm
stand".

A farmer's market consists of a conglomoration of *venders* who may be but
are probably not not selling their own home grown. Farmer's markets are
more costly because each vender pays a substantial fee (rent) for the
season, and many are all year operations so farmer's market venders would
usually have a lease and pay rent every month. Many farmer's markets are
indoor affairs but many are also set up on vacant land that only appears to
be an operational farm. Farmer's markets are actually no different than the
typical stupidmarket produce section.

A farm stand is located at the actual farm and is selling produce and food
products produced on premises by the farmer. Farm stands are typically less
expensive and usually sell superior products, albiet only what is in season
on their own farm. Farm stands have no overhead other than to maintain
whatever structure is built at the roadside and is typically family run so
there is usually no payroll or a very small payroll for seasonal employees
that are almost always relatives and close friends.

I live in a true ag community, we have several farm stands but no farmer's
markets in this immediate area. My tenant is a school teacher who works
summers at a farm stand. The farmer has two farms and two farm stands
located some 15 miles apart. Besides produce the farmer also sells a lot of
florals, nursery plants in flats, hanging baskets and as various
arrangements, even custom made. My tenant mostly operates the greenhouses
where the florals are grown and she makes up the baskets and arrangements.
She keeps my property well supplied with attractive flower arrangements and
hardly a day passes that she doesn't leave me a bag of whatever veggies that
were picked fresh that day. Mostly the farmer supplies local markets and
restaurants but also has the two very popular and successful farm stands.
Farm stands are typically where farmer's market venders purchase much of
their wares, along with at the nearby wholesale produce market. Most
farmer's market venders are essentially snow birds, they move to various
parts of the country with the seasons. Farmer's market vender is their
occupation, they are not farmers, they are retailers, they wouldn't know how
to begin growing any produce.

At our Farmer's Market, some the prices are similar to a supermarket,
but a few items cost a lot more, and some cost less. You get a much
better quality of produce at a Farmer's Market, since most of their
produce is organic. It is worth paying whatever I have to pay, because
I am supporting local growers instead of ConAgra.


Here, they sell baked, canned and processed foods, plus fresh eggs and
local plants. A German man makes the best sausage you can buy, and
fresh figs that were just plucked off the tree. They sell home made tea
cakes that are the size of a bread plate, tea cakes have been popular in
the South for many years. I just love the Farmer's Market. :-P


Becca

brooklyn1 wrote:
>> "Mr. Nonsense" wrote:
>>
>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>>
>
> Not "always" but most usually.... because a "farmer's market" is not a "farm
> stand".
>
> A farmer's market consists of a conglomoration of *venders* who may be but
> are probably not not selling their own home grown. Farmer's markets are
> more costly because each vender pays a substantial fee (rent) for the
> season, and many are all year operations so farmer's market venders would
> usually have a lease and pay rent every month. Many farmer's markets are
> indoor affairs but many are also set up on vacant land that only appears to
> be an operational farm. Farmer's markets are actually no different than the
> typical stupidmarket produce section.
>
> A farm stand is located at the actual farm and is selling produce and food
> products produced on premises by the farmer. Farm stands are typically less
> expensive and usually sell superior products, albiet only what is in season
> on their own farm. Farm stands have no overhead other than to maintain
> whatever structure is built at the roadside and is typically family run so
> there is usually no payroll or a very small payroll for seasonal employees
> that are almost always relatives and close friends.
>
> I live in a true ag community, we have several farm stands but no farmer's
> markets in this immediate area. My tenant is a school teacher who works
> summers at a farm stand. The farmer has two farms and two farm stands
> located some 15 miles apart. Besides produce the farmer also sells a lot of
> florals, nursery plants in flats, hanging baskets and as various
> arrangements, even custom made. My tenant mostly operates the greenhouses
> where the florals are grown and she makes up the baskets and arrangements.
> She keeps my property well supplied with attractive flower arrangements and
> hardly a day passes that she doesn't leave me a bag of whatever veggies that
> were picked fresh that day. Mostly the farmer supplies local markets and
> restaurants but also has the two very popular and successful farm stands.
> Farm stands are typically where farmer's market venders purchase much of
> their wares, along with at the nearby wholesale produce market. Most
> farmer's market venders are essentially snow birds, they move to various
> parts of the country with the seasons. Farmer's market vender is their
> occupation, they are not farmers, they are retailers, they wouldn't know how
> to begin growing any produce.

It may depend on where you live. We have an organic farmer at church,
he is a retired professor, and he sells his produce at the Farmer's
Market. My sister sells fresh eggs, produce and jelly at the Farmer's
Market, but not at the one near me. When she is too busy to mess with
it, she sells it to Marvin's Gardens, which is a farm stand that is
located near me. If I can not find what I want at the Farmer's Market,
I go to Marvin's Gardens.


Becca

Becca wrote:
> brooklyn1 wrote:
>>> "Mr. Nonsense" wrote:
>>>
>>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>>>
>>
>> Not "always" but most usually.... because a "farmer's market" is not a
>> "farm stand".
>>
>> A farmer's market consists of a conglomoration of *venders* who may be
>> but are probably not not selling their own home grown. Farmer's
>> markets are more costly because each vender pays a substantial fee
>> (rent) for the season, and many are all year operations so farmer's
>> market venders would usually have a lease and pay rent every month.
>> Many farmer's markets are indoor affairs but many are also set up on
>> vacant land that only appears to be an operational farm. Farmer's
>> markets are actually no different than the typical stupidmarket
>> produce section.
>>
>> A farm stand is located at the actual farm and is selling produce and
>> food products produced on premises by the farmer. Farm stands are
>> typically less expensive and usually sell superior products, albiet
>> only what is in season on their own farm. Farm stands have no
>> overhead other than to maintain whatever structure is built at the
>> roadside and is typically family run so there is usually no payroll or
>> a very small payroll for seasonal employees that are almost always
>> relatives and close friends.
>>
>> I live in a true ag community, we have several farm stands but no
>> farmer's markets in this immediate area. My tenant is a school
>> teacher who works summers at a farm stand. The farmer has two farms
>> and two farm stands located some 15 miles apart. Besides produce the
>> farmer also sells a lot of florals, nursery plants in flats, hanging
>> baskets and as various arrangements, even custom made. My tenant
>> mostly operates the greenhouses where the florals are grown and she
>> makes up the baskets and arrangements. She keeps my property well
>> supplied with attractive flower arrangements and hardly a day passes
>> that she doesn't leave me a bag of whatever veggies that were picked
>> fresh that day. Mostly the farmer supplies local markets and
>> restaurants but also has the two very popular and successful farm
>> stands. Farm stands are typically where farmer's market venders
>> purchase much of their wares, along with at the nearby wholesale
>> produce market. Most farmer's market venders are essentially snow
>> birds, they move to various parts of the country with the seasons.
>> Farmer's market vender is their occupation, they are not farmers, they
>> are retailers, they wouldn't know how to begin growing any produce.
>
> It may depend on where you live. We have an organic farmer at church,
> he is a retired professor, and he sells his produce at the Farmer's
> Market. My sister sells fresh eggs, produce and jelly at the Farmer's
> Market, but not at the one near me. When she is too busy to mess with
> it, she sells it to Marvin's Gardens, which is a farm stand that is
> located near me. If I can not find what I want at the Farmer's Market,
> I go to Marvin's Gardens.
>
> Becca
The local Farmer's Market operates on Saturday's only, 7 am to 12 noon.
Costs $15 for a day's worth of booth space. DW goes on the first
Saturday of each month and sells whatever we have excess in the veggie
garden and also markets her watercolors. Most of the veggies there are
grown within 20 miles of Lake Charles by local folk. IIRC they have a
rule against buying produce and passing it off as home grown at the market.

One gentleman markets his hot sauce, a local restaurant brings in food
and sells it, another gentleman brings in organic vegetables and frozen
organic lamb and beef. Usually from fifteen to twenty booths and the
crowds are nice sized.

We often buy veggies that we don't grow ourselves just to try something
different.

"Becca" > wrote in message
...
> brooklyn1 wrote:
>>> "Mr. Nonsense" wrote:
>>>
>>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>>>
>>
>> Not "always" but most usually.... because a "farmer's market" is not a
>> "farm stand".
>>
>> A farmer's market consists of a conglomoration of *venders* who may be
>> but are probably not not selling their own home grown. Farmer's markets
>> are more costly because each vender pays a substantial fee (rent) for the
>> season, and many are all year operations so farmer's market venders would
>> usually have a lease and pay rent every month. Many farmer's markets are
>> indoor affairs but many are also set up on vacant land that only appears
>> to be an operational farm. Farmer's markets are actually no different
>> than the typical stupidmarket produce section.
>>
>> A farm stand is located at the actual farm and is selling produce and
>> food products produced on premises by the farmer. Farm stands are
>> typically less expensive and usually sell superior products, albiet only
>> what is in season on their own farm. Farm stands have no overhead other
>> than to maintain whatever structure is built at the roadside and is
>> typically family run so there is usually no payroll or a very small
>> payroll for seasonal employees that are almost always relatives and close
>> friends.
>>
>> I live in a true ag community, we have several farm stands but no
>> farmer's markets in this immediate area. My tenant is a school teacher
>> who works summers at a farm stand. The farmer has two farms and two farm
>> stands located some 15 miles apart. Besides produce the farmer also
>> sells a lot of florals, nursery plants in flats, hanging baskets and as
>> various arrangements, even custom made. My tenant mostly operates the
>> greenhouses where the florals are grown and she makes up the baskets and
>> arrangements. She keeps my property well supplied with attractive flower
>> arrangements and hardly a day passes that she doesn't leave me a bag of
>> whatever veggies that were picked fresh that day. Mostly the farmer
>> supplies local markets and restaurants but also has the two very popular
>> and successful farm stands. Farm stands are typically where farmer's
>> market venders purchase much of their wares, along with at the nearby
>> wholesale produce market. Most farmer's market venders are essentially
>> snow birds, they move to various parts of the country with the seasons.
>> Farmer's market vender is their occupation, they are not farmers, they
>> are retailers, they wouldn't know how to begin growing any produce.
>
> It may depend on where you live. We have an organic farmer at church, he
> is a retired professor, and he sells his produce at the Farmer's Market.
> My sister sells fresh eggs, produce and jelly at the Farmer's Market, but
> not at the one near me. When she is too busy to mess with it, she sells
> it to Marvin's Gardens, which is a farm stand that is located near me. If
> I can not find what I want at the Farmer's Market, I go to Marvin's
> Gardens.
>
> Becca

Naturally there are all kinds of exceptions but in general a farmer's market
is a very different operation from a farm stand. There are some farmers
here who share a farm stand... they team up because they are close to each
other and each grows different crops. There are many home gardeners here
who sell some of their crop at the roadside in front of their house, I tried
that but after a few weeks decided it wasn't worth being bothered by the
door bell ringing constantly. Even though these are honor system operations
still people want to know if you have something or what you will be putting
out later, or will you save something they can pick up on their return, or
just an excuse to chat. It was less trouble to just give away my extras.

On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:39:03 -0400, Bob Muncie wrote:

> Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>> "Mr. Nonsense" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
>>> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>>>
>>> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>>>
>>> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>>>
>>> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>>> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>>> do monkey work.
>>>
>>> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>>> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>>> than make up for that.
>>
>> Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage than the
>> big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick instead of having
>> a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more selective of actually
>> ripe produce.
>>
>> They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not shipping
>> truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market day. What you
>> perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.
>>
>
> I agree, the local farmer's market is close to twice the cost, as the
> local grocery.
>
> Bob

i realize this varies by locality, but the (few) farmers' markets near me
(suburban d.c.) are not cheap. but then i'm not close to the producing
areas.

your pal,
blake

On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:05:46 -0500, Becca wrote:

> When she is too busy to mess with
> it, she sells it to Marvin's Gardens, which is a farm stand that is
> located near me.

> Becca

cute name.

your pal,
blake

blake murphy wrote:
> On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:05:46 -0500, Becca wrote:
>
>> When she is too busy to mess with
>> it, she sells it to Marvin's Gardens, which is a farm stand that is
>> located near me.
>
>> Becca
>
> cute name.

I agree, I always thought Becca was a lovely name.

nancy

Mr. Nonsense wrote:
> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>
> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>
> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>
> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
> do monkey work.
>
> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
> than make up for that.

My guesses:
1. It's their only income unless they can sell wholesale.

2. They have to pay for their space every week whether they sell
anything or not.

3. They have more spoilage than grocery stores which have the advantage
of refrigeration.

FWIW, I agree with you. Other than in California, Hawaii, and
Minneapolis (thanks, Barb!) I've never seen a farmer's market that can
compare in overall quality with a good specialty greengrocer. We also
stopped at a few wonderful roadside stands in New Zealand with an
incredible variety of fruit at great prices.

When in season I can get peaches, plums, and apricots for as little as
88 cents a pound from Sunflower or Sprouts (Henry's/Boney's chain). At
the farmer's market they are $2.99-3.99/lb, the same price as my
Albertson's.

The upside is that they occasionally sell things that aren't available
anywhere else.

gloria p

Becca wrote:
>
> When she is too busy to mess with
> it, she sells it to Marvin's Gardens, which is a farm stand that is
> located near me.
>

Hmm... Marvin Gardens... must be another one of those monopolies....

Okay, say it, I ain't worried, I got a get out of jail free card. LOL

In article <b5e09651-e24f-422a-b935-eda3879e09b8
@c9g2000yqm.googlegroups.com>, says...
> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>
Because most supermarkets are selling mass produced, low nutrition,
aesthetically pleasing veg that may be way old and artificially
preserved to improve shelf and transport life.

Farmers market food tends to be fresher, have more variety, more flavour
and more nutrients.

You get what you pay for.
--
Carl Robson
Get cashback on your purchases
Topcashback http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm
Greasypalm http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553

In article >,
says...
> I agree, the local farmer's market is close to twice the cost, as the
> local grocery.
>
I consider it reassuringly expensive.
If something used to cost X last year, how the hell can it be as tasty,
healthy and nutritious and safe as it was back then if it now costs X-5
--
Carl Robson
Get cashback on your purchases
Topcashback http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/skraggy_uk/ref/index.htm
Greasypalm http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/r/?l=1006553

Nancy Young wrote:
> blake murphy wrote:
>> On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:05:46 -0500, Becca wrote:
>>
>>> When she is too busy to mess with
>>> it, she sells it to Marvin's Gardens, which is a farm stand that is
>>> located near me.
>>
>>> Becca
>>
>> cute name.
>
> I agree, I always thought Becca was a lovely name.
>
> nancy

I second that sentiment.

Bob

On Jun 24, 7:28*am, "Michael \"Dog3\"" > wrote:
> John Kuthe > *news:b44d589f-84c8-429a-a500-
> : in rec.food.cooking
>
> <space saver>
>
> > But you don't always get better quality at true farmer's markets,
> > you've got to watch out for what you buy.
>
> Yep. It's like anything else. You have to pay attention to what you're
> buying.
>
> > In grocery stores and
> > yuppified farmer's markets they have store employees who throw out the
> > questionable stiff so you don't have to. (Part of the reason it's more
> > expemsive!)
>
> Makes sense to me. *I've never been to the one in the Loop. *Have you
> tried the one in Clayton? *What a joke.

No, I've never tried the one in Clayton. But being in Clayton says to
me "Yuppified to the Nth degree!"

John Kuthe...

brooklyn1 wrote:

>
> Naturally there are all kinds of exceptions but in general a farmer's market
> is a very different operation from a farm stand. There are some farmers
> here who share a farm stand... they team up because they are close to each
> other and each grows different crops. There are many home gardeners here
> who sell some of their crop at the roadside in front of their house, I tried
> that but after a few weeks decided it wasn't worth being bothered by the
> door bell ringing constantly. Even though these are honor system operations
> still people want to know if you have something or what you will be putting
> out later, or will you save something they can pick up on their return, or
> just an excuse to chat. It was less trouble to just give away my extras.
>
>
>

Years ago my dad's best friend owned an "old folks home" in a city in
Massachusetts and had a house for his family on a large country property
10 miles away. He had all kinds of fruit trees, but his strawberries
were the prize, three or four varieties that ripened at different times
to extend the season. His "farm" was on a back road that not many
people knew about, leading to a very popular state beach.

He got up early every morning in season to pick the berries and put them
on a stand in the shade of a tree with a sign and a coffee can for the
honor system payment. Then he'd leave for the city to make breakfast,
lunch and dinner for his lodgers.

He always made enough selling strawberries to pay the property tax and
was seldom cheated or robbed (yes, it did happen on occasion.)

gloria p

Nancy Young wrote:
> blake murphy wrote:
>> On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:05:46 -0500, Becca wrote:
>>
>>> When she is too busy to mess with
>>> it, she sells it to Marvin's Gardens, which is a farm stand that is
>>> located near me.
>>
>>> Becca
>>
>> cute name.
>
> I agree, I always thought Becca was a lovely name.
>
> nancy

Just a guess, but I think he was talking about Marvin's Gardens. lol
Thanks though!


Becca

Becca wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:
>> blake murphy wrote:
>>> On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:05:46 -0500, Becca wrote:
>>>
>>>> When she is too busy to mess with
>>>> it, she sells it to Marvin's Gardens, which is a farm stand that is
>>>> located near me.
>>>
>>>> Becca
>>>
>>> cute name.
>>
>> I agree, I always thought Becca was a lovely name.

> Just a guess, but I think he was talking about Marvin's Gardens. lol
> Thanks though!

(laugh)

nancy

brooklyn1 wrote:
> Becca wrote:
>> When she is too busy to mess with
>> it, she sells it to Marvin's Gardens, which is a farm stand that is
>> located near me.
>>
>
> Hmm... Marvin Gardens...

As shown above it is "Marvin's Gardens" not "Marvin Gardens". You can't
cook, can't read or type and eat spam/fast food/mystery ground meat on a
regular basis it seems. Thanks for indicating how intellectually
challenged you are among your other defects/deficiencies.

Becca wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:
>> blake murphy wrote:
>>> On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:05:46 -0500, Becca wrote:
>>>
>>>> When she is too busy to mess with
>>>> it, she sells it to Marvin's Gardens, which is a farm stand that is
>>>> located near me.
>>>
>>>> Becca
>>>
>>> cute name.
>>
>> I agree, I always thought Becca was a lovely name.
>>
>> nancy
>
> Just a guess, but I think he was talking about Marvin's Gardens. lol
> Thanks though!
>
>
> Becca

I know that silly :-)

Bob

me wrote:

>> Becca wrote:
>>> When she is too busy to mess with
>>> it, she sells it to Marvin's Gardens, which is a farm stand that is
>>> located near me.
>>>
>>
>> Hmm... Marvin Gardens...
>
> As shown above it is "Marvin's Gardens" not "Marvin Gardens". You can't
> cook, can't read or type and eat spam/fast food/mystery ground meat on a
> regular basis it seems. Thanks for indicating how intellectually
> challenged you are among your other defects/deficiencies.
>


Sigh..

Gloria wrote:

> Other than in California, Hawaii, and Minneapolis (thanks, Barb!) I've
> never seen a farmer's market that can compare in overall quality with a
> good specialty greengrocer.

Here in California we have what are called "Certified Farmers' Markets."
These are markets at which all the goods are certified organic. It's not
easy to get that organic certification; the state has fairly stringent
guidelines for things defined as "organic." In order to be certified
organic, a state inspector has to come inspect your farm several times
during the year, and all your farming processes and practices are examined
in detail.

Sometimes the certified-organic vendors have a bit of a drive; the Auburn
farmers' market has vendors from as far away as Watsonville (208 miles) and
Fresno (202 miles). But the farmers make that drive because their produce
has a limited lifetime, and they can sell at least some of it in Auburn on
that day: If it doesn't all get sold in Auburn, there's another market the
following day. In fact, around here there's a certified farmers' market
every day of the week except for Fridays. Most of the farmers are located
within 50 miles, and all of the vendor booths have some banner which names
their farm and tells where it's located.

Bob

"Shawn Hirn" > wrote in message
>
> Is your "local farmer's market" really selling locally grown produce? I
> seriously doubt it.

Ours does. Most is fresh picked hours before they open. They are in or
town twice a week and other towns another couple of days a week. Unless you
produce the goods, you are not allowed to sell at the market. Some sell
preserves, bread, and other home made items, all local. The CT Dept. of
Agriculture sets up guidelines as to what constitutes local markets.

On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:46:29 +0100, Elder
> wrote:

>In article >,
says...
>> I agree, the local farmer's market is close to twice the cost, as the
>> local grocery.
>>
>I consider it reassuringly expensive.
>If something used to cost X last year, how the hell can it be as tasty,
>healthy and nutritious and safe as it was back then if it now costs X-5

Just out of curiosity, yesterday at the Original Farmers Market in
downtown Indianpolis, I paid $2.85 for a pint of cherry tomatoes, and
$2 for four "burpless" cucumbers. How do those prices compare with
your farmers market?

Barry in Indy

Barry said...

> $2 for four "burpless" cucumbers.

GREAT price! Lucky BUM!!!

I haven't had seedless cukes in awhile. Now I'll have to go and inspect.

Back at ya... do you peel the rind off? That also reduces burps.

Andy

"Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Shawn Hirn" > wrote in message
>>
>> Is your "local farmer's market" really selling locally grown produce? I
>> seriously doubt it.
>
> Ours does. Most is fresh picked hours before they open. They are in or
> town twice a week and other towns another couple of days a week. Unless
> you produce the goods, you are not allowed to sell at the market. Some
> sell preserves, bread, and other home made items, all local. The CT Dept.
> of Agriculture sets up guidelines as to what constitutes local markets.

Same here (in Boston).

Felice

Felice wrote:
> "Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Shawn Hirn" > wrote in message
>>>
>>> Is your "local farmer's market" really selling locally grown
>>> produce? I seriously doubt it.
>>
>> Ours does. Most is fresh picked hours before they open. They are
>> in or town twice a week and other towns another couple of days a
>> week. Unless you produce the goods, you are not allowed to sell at
>> the market. Some sell preserves, bread, and other home made items,
>> all local. The CT Dept. of Agriculture sets up guidelines as to
>> what constitutes local markets.
>
> Same here (in Boston).
>
> Felice

I always bought from the farm. They've even gone into the fields and
picked stuff for me while I wait. Frankly, I'll pay a premium for
such fresh food as opposed to supermarket produce, which could have
travelled across country. I miss being able to do that now that I've
moved.

Dora