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DEL.ICIO.USWho should sell at a farmers’ market?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I went to the new Riverside Farmers Market in Roswell last weekend, hoping to pick up a few fresh vegetables. The parking lot was packed, and there were vendors selling ornamental plants, baked goods, some rosemary and honey. There had been eggs, but they’d gotten snapped up early, the usual story.
But no vegetables. A line of people stood at the information booth, where they were told the farmers wouldn’t be in for a few weeks, because cool weather this spring had delayed harvests. I blogged last week about the market, after organizers assured that there would be at least three vegetable farmers there. So I’m not sure why the disconnect between what was supposed to happen, and what did.
But it reminded me of something I’ve been meaning to write about. It’s tough to start a farmers market in Atlanta. There’s a limited supply of growers to provide goods. Many already sell at two or more markets. And the Riverside Market limits its sellers to a 100-mile range. (You can check out the AJC’s list of area farmers markets here.)
Some of the smaller markets seem to be struggling this year to find growers, while others are thriving. Spruill is off to a slow start, because the cool weather has delayed some of its farmers, although Garmon Farms is always there with produce and chicken and duck eggs. High gas prices are keeping some farmers at home until they have a big selection to sell and it’s worth their while to drive in.
So what do customers expect when they go to a farmers market ? (I’m not talking about grocery stores like DeKalb Farmers Market or the International Farmers Market, where there is no direct contact with growers.)
Many of the markets around Atlanta are producer-only, which means only the people who grow the food can sell it. A handful allow “truck farmers,” people who load up the pickup truck at the Atlanta State Farmers Market in Forest Park with boxes from various wholesalers, then sell the produce to customers at farmers market booths.
That assures there will be something to buy at the market if the local growers aren’t producing yet. And in some markets near low-income areas, it provides easy access to a broad range of fresh fruits and vegetables that residents may not get otherwise. But it’s not what some people would consider a true farmers market.
When you shop at a farmers market, do you expect the produce to be locally grown? Does it matter if you’re buying tomatoes from someone who gets them from a wholesaler, or if you’re purchasing directly from the farmer? If you’ve been to a farmers market with lots of vendors but few, if any, farmers, do you go back?
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By JJ
June 2, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
There’s a Farmer’s Market in Suwanee Town Park Center. However, we went on Saturday, and I ran into the same things as mentioned. There was some wonderful “dips/marinades”, bonsai trees, etc. but only one guy selling veggies, and it was only turnips. That was all the “Produce” there. I was a little disappointed. We went at 10:30 Saturday a.m.
I like the thought of a local farmer’s market, and staying in the community. I would much rather spend my money on a local farmer, than one in South America or Africa.
And also, I would like to know, why is it that Florida is known for oranges, but the ones in the Supermarket (Publix) are from South Africa? WTF?
By Elizabeth Lee
June 2, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
JJ, that’s so funny.
The one thing I wanted to buy in Roswell was turnips. I was making a turnip gratin and needed another half-pound of young turnips. I had some Hakurei from the community-supported agriculture program I belong to. They’re just about impossible to find in grocery stores, and I didn’t want to burn the gas to run to the intown markets, where I was sure they’d have them.
On the oranges � citrus are a winter fruit in Florida, and the season wrapped up in May. That’s why you’re seeing the South African oranges now. You might see apples from that region, too, in the few weeks left before the new crop of U.S. apples appears.
Same goes for the turnips at the farmers market. In north Georgia, it’s still roots and greens season, which means lots of collards, kale, lettuce, arugula, beets and turnips at farmers markets, along with the last of the spring strawberries and maybe some greenhouse tomatoes.
By BPJ
June 2, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
I like the Saturday market at Piedmont Park, but we would go more often if there were more fruits and vegetables. It’s fine to give preference to local growers, but when some items are not in season here, I wouldn’t mind produce from elsewhere in the mix.
By JJ
June 2, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Elizabeth Thank you for clearing that up for me regarding the oranges.
Next time I will pick up some turnips for you….;)
By catlady
June 2, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this
Grow your own veggies! That way you can be sure they are local, and you can control what poisons, if any, are put on them. I feel rich when I stroll to the garden almost every day of the year (I live in the N Ga mtns and harvest something 330 days per year) and pick at least one fresh thing to eat for supper/lunch. In Atlanta, with its residual heat from asphalt, etc, everyone one with a tiny patch of dirt should be growing some of their own fresh, local food, year-round!
As for what should be sold at “farmer’s”markets, I think the connection with the person who grew the food is important. If you have “outside” food, label it as such (‘course, any idiot should not expect local okra in May, for instance—be aware of seasons).
By HB
June 2, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
No vegetables because of cool weather? What are they planting down there? This weekend at my local farmer’s market just outside D.C., I bought spinach, potatoes, kale, swiss chard, broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, and shallots from farmers based in Maryland, West Viginia, and Pennsylvania. We had asparagus and radishes until last week, but those are done here for the year, so I bought “local” (within 150 miles) New Jersey asparagus at the grocery store. I expect their season will also be over within a week or two.
The only long-distance produce currently in my house — a Vidalia onion for a little taste of home.
By cobbmom
June 2, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
If I want out of season fruit that is shipped over from overseas, I’ll go to the grocery store. That isnt what a farmers market is for. I don’t mind a little outside of local, for example if someone feels like going down to cordele and picking up a truckload of watermelon to sell, thats great.
As far as the oranges/publix deal, it really doesnt matter that they were out of season. I’ve been to publix in Florida, during the season, and the oranges were from California (the FL crop was good that year too). Most grocery stores go for the best deal and sometimes have contracts to buy their produce. Kroger here NEVER EVER EVER has GA peaches. EVER.
By Alan Segal
June 4, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
I too went to the Riverside/Roswell Farmers Market and expected local produce but found little. There was a stand selling olive oil from “Palestine” (the location was really Israel but the producers couln’t bring themselves to acknowledge that small fact). Sorry that’s far from local. Besides there is no recognised country called “Palestine”.
Cat Rescurer 6/4/08
By danish
June 4, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
I was sooo excited to go to this Farmer’s Market. I got there a little after 9 am and was disappointed there was no produce. However, I did buy a cup of fresh lemonade sweetened with that local honey and it was delicious.
I overheard a vendor talking about the farmers’ produce not ready yet. I also heard they were concerned about the turnout so maybe they will come soon with tasty local treats.
I also loved that I could take my son to the playground at the same time. Win win for all of us.
By alpharettamom
June 4, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
My favorie Farmers Market is the one in downtown Alpharetta. They have at least 4 vendors selling fresh produce. They also have gorgeous flowers along with the regular baked goods, salsas and jams (there’s a lady there that sells the BEST pies I’ve ever had). Definitely worth checking out!
By Buckshot
June 6, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Although I like the variety of a large farmer’s market, give me the Cherokee county farmers market at Cagle Dairy. The variety is not the greatest but it’s all fresh and grown in Cherokee County. Right now there’s not as much variety as later in the season but I look forward to it every year for “maters” and veggies and herbs and farm fresh, cage free eggs. One little girl was helping her mother sell eggs and told me that their chickens were “happy chickens” and she helps gather and clean the eggs herself. Plus the dairy has a little store there that sells fresh dairy products including butters and cheeses. It may not be able to compete with the larger markets but’s like visiting with friends.
By DSTENZ
June 11, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
I just got some Georgia corn and GA peaches at Kroger on Saturday, I went to the one at Cascade and 285
By DSTENZ
June 11, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
I just got some Georgia corn and GA peaches at Kroger on Saturday, I went to the one at Cascade and 285