<p>Interesting blog regarding the ‘Well’ column in the New York Times.</p>
<p>Some folks are shocked to find that vendors at some Farmers Markets in California display produce that they themselves did not grow; produce that sometimes came from another state or quite literally came from the supermarket down the block from the urban farmers market.</p>
<p>While I’m not surprised that some vendors at these markets have a dent or two in their integrity [after all, Farmers markets are a lucrative business and scammers invade lucrative businesses whenever they can], I’m surprised at how people delude themselves, seeking shangri la from such markets, whether based on economic, nutritional or environmental concerns. Oh, l love to look at the gorgeous selection and I buy at the produce stands in the park that’s across the street from my office. But I’m a picky customer at my neighborhood grocery, too. More often than not, the neighborhood store’s quality of vegetables is more than adequate. This whole local vs. ‘shipped-in discussion’ is getting out of hand. I don’t mind California strawberries or Florida corn if the stuff tastes good, although nothing beats New York State corn when it’s in season. And I’ll charge my way through a crowd with elbows up to get at Washington State apples.</p>
<p>I may be missing the point of what upset NYT readers. I know that many look to farmers markets and organic foods as miracles, which I think is what the first post was alluding to. I try to shop at farmers markets because I want to support the farmers. More than that, I want to use my dollars to support the sustainability of local farms long-term. If farmers are so broke that they are reselling supermarket produce to make money, that’s really sad, but I don’t think that’s a long-term solution for them, so I’d be upset.</p>
<p>Truth in advertising - or lack of it.
In some states, certain descriptors are governed by state law. NH is very stringent about this. If produce is described as “Native” or “Local” it must have been grown in NH.</p>
<p>Many farm markets buy produce outside the local area for re-sell. Nothing wrong with this as long as it’s origins are made clear to the consumer.</p>
<p>BTW - isn’t trucking in produce to California sort of like shipping coal to Newcastle?</p>
<p>The farmer’s market in NYC are all supposed to be local farmers. They might bring produce from another farm in their locale, but they aren’t supposed to be bringing supermarket produce! The stuff is very, very expensive, especially the organic produce – sometimes two or three times the supermarket price. I would be really mad if they were charging farmer’s market prices for supermarket food!</p>
<p>There’s really nothing wrong with buying produce at Costco and reselling it at a farmers market. The person shouldn’t call himself or herself a farmer or advertise that it was locally grown (unless it actually is), but simply putting up a stand and selling it doesn’t mean the person is lacking in integrity.</p>
<p>Pike’s Place market is one of the oldest farmers markets in the country. When I go there, I don’t really think where the food comes from. I don’t think the fish throwers go catch the fish themselves nor the people selling seafood really went out and caught the seafood themselves. I assume the flower sellers grow their own flowers, but it wouldn’t make a big difference to me if they bought their flowers through some wholesale channel…it’s the experience is why I go there.</p>
<p>mousegray - if the farmer’s market has those rules (some do and some do not) then yes, that would be bad form to bring in supermarket produce.</p>
<p>Many farmers find themselves short on some produce occassionally and have a demand for it - they seek to fill that demand but should not attempt to deceive.</p>
<p>btw - I hope they would not be so dumb as to advertise a Washington apple as a New York apple. A second grader could tell the difference, LOL</p>