Western Farm Press: Ask Questions At Farmers' Markets

An article in the current issue of Western Farm Press caught my attention. It is on asking questions at farmers' markets.

There are a few farmers' markets in and around the San Fernando Valley and we have shopped at some of them. Generally, the prices are a little bit lower than what you find on average at the local supermarket.  But, pricing aside, the article made me think a little bit about the quality of the produce sold there.

The article states:

Farmers’ markets make are like shopping on Saturday in town long, long ago. They’re fun. 

An occasional Friday night at the popular downtown farmers’ market in Clovis, Calif., is part of my summer. 

However, the fruits and vegetables are no better there than at the local supermarket. Some are worse.  

Farmers’ markets are popular because people think they are buying from “local growers,” and it is somehow better from a five-acre grower than a 500-acre grower, even with the same zip code. I always wonder if the person selling is the same person who grew it. That comes from looking at the boxes around some booths. What is a dead giveaway that it’s not local is when there’s something for sale that is not ripe locally at this time of year.

If you are a frequent (or even an occasional) farmers' market shopper, you may want to read the article before the next time you go. When you do go, ask questions.

To read the article, go here.