Farmers Markets: do you have an opinion you'd like to share?

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Farmers Markets: do you have an opinion you'd like to share?
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Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 09 5:32 pm Post subject:

Barefoot Andrew wrote:

I really like that idea.
A.

Only one problem- as a farmers market [ds] there isn't much 'local' unless you're in Wales or the west country.

Barefoot Andrew
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 21 Mar 2007
Posts: 22780
Location: In the 17th century

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 09 5:35 pm Post subject:

Rob R wrote:

Only one problem- as a farmers market [ds] there isn't much 'local' unless you're in Wales or the west country.

I was thinking about that earlier - whether I should be supporting my local producers here in Derbyshire (of which we have plenty), or getting my produce from the likes of Gil, Brownbear and yourself.

Despite the food miles, I personally prefer to support the traders I know and our rather wonderful community herein.
A.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 09 5:42 pm Post subject:
For me I'd put knowledge of what goes into my food above 'local' but fully intend to increase the local sales throughout 2010, when the place stops looking so much like a building site but I'd still rather have mostly deliveries as our lane isn't really suitable for lots of people coming and going.

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 09 6:10 pm Post subject:

Barefoot Andrew wrote:

Its a two-stage thing for me. I go for local producers who I can get to know and rely on first, more distant downsizer traders second (if I struggle to get what I want very locally). That isn't to say that there aren't some cracking producers on here, but if that banner at the top 'for a sustainable and ethical future' means anything I think it means relying on local first.

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 09 6:10 pm Post subject:

Rob R wrote:

Barefoot Andrew wrote:

I really like that idea.
A.

Only one problem- as a farmers market [ds] there isn't much 'local' unless you're in Wales or the west country.

I hear tell of some meat up near Hull that ain't bad.

chez

Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35935
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 09 6:19 pm Post subject:

I agree with the people who have said that the question is a very strawy straw man. The farmers markets we have anything to do with are ALL about local. Organic comes a small second, if at all.

We do Wellington Farmer's market, which is two Saturday mornings a month and is in a scout hall very central to the town - mostly inside, a bit outside. Ma sells mainly cut flowers at that one and there are plant sellers, veg, goat-products (not milk, soap, cheese, that kind of thing), a pie chap, butcher, venison, bread, eggs and trees. It is a vibrant little market - probably due to the fact that people who are shopping in the town centre anyway can pop in - that is worth going to for both consumers and producers. There is a lot of local produce and very little organic.

One Saturday a month we do Cotford, which is essentially a modern housing estate - the market is in the school hall. That is a bit more 'crafty' in it's base and people have to make a special effort to come out to shop at it. It is not doing nearly so well and many stallholders are not even covering the cost of their stall. There is talk that this week will be the last one.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 09 7:08 pm Post subject:

cab wrote:

Rob R wrote:

Barefoot Andrew wrote:

I really like that idea.
A.

Only one problem- as a farmers market [ds] there isn't much 'local' unless you're in Wales or the west country.

I hear tell of some meat up near Hull that ain't bad.

Not many ds'ers though, how can we attract more?

ros

Joined: 19 Jul 2005
Posts: 2469
Location: Beds

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 09 7:14 pm Post subject:

I am happier buying Rob's beef - I know more about it - than I do local at the farmer's market ( it's also miles cheaper)

We have one monthly one where if I'm lucky there will be 4 stalls, one of which is the local bakers (which is a 25 yard walk from the market (profile raising ?????) )

The one in Biggleswade is better, but again the emphasis is on local- not organic and it's expensive - there is a premium at the markets over buying from the farm shop for the same produce

Mrs R

Joined: 15 Aug 2008
Posts: 7202

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 09 7:17 pm Post subject:

Rob R wrote:

For me I'd put knowledge of what goes into my food above 'local' but fully intend to increase the local sales throughout 2010, when the place stops looking so much like a building site but I'd still rather have mostly deliveries as our lane isn't really suitable for lots of people coming and going.

I'm hoping we can add lots of different things too other than just meat - eggs, milk, soap, veg etc so it's a one-stop-shop. but not a shop.

Jonnyboy

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 23956
Location: under some rain.

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 09 7:22 pm Post subject: Re: Farmers Markets: do you have an opinion you'd like to sh

Mary-Jane wrote:

The title of her research is: "Are Farmers' Markets raising the profile of organic foods or simply pandering to a minority?"

As a consumer, my personal opinion is that farmers markets are working against the profile of organic food in that they provide a sensible, ethical and informed choice to consumers that can result in them choosing an alternative to organic. Whereas previously they would have seen it as the panacea of ethical shopping.

I would go further and say that from the markets I regularly visit, locally sourced food now takes a higher profile than organic. Most of the key buzzwords I see revolve around 'small, local, family, traditional' etc. It's almost as if the core of farmers markets are slowly evolving 'backwards' towards the original market concept.

Also I have seen a growth in the less traditional stalls cropping up - coffee, paintings, candles, and a huge amount of hot food stalls - curries, mexican, bloody crepes

, which I assume cater for the farmers market experience rather than the actual shopping for meat, cheese, bread and vegetables bit

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 09 7:27 pm Post subject:
We don't have a farmer's market as such, but there are a few stalls selling locally cured meat and local veg among the bric-a-brac in the pannier market on a Saturday - the only hot food is Anne Bacon catering who makes a mean pasty! I don't think anything is organic.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46235
Location: yes

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 09 8:07 pm Post subject:
they vary ,some are ace, regular and local is to be found in newgate market ,york

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Fri Nov 27, 09 9:50 am Post subject:
As dpack says, they vary. Organic is not the guiding ethos of Farmers' Markets so the question's a bit of a non-starter, really, unless it's getting at a possible public mis-conception that FMs are for the middle class, wealthier person and 'just a trend'. What they are there for is to provide a fairer outlet for the producer and customer, enabling access to good, locally produced food (IMHO).

Cathryn

Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 19856
Location: Ceredigion

Posted: Sat Nov 28, 09 11:27 am Post subject:

I also agree that it is about local and not organic.

Apparently they didn't have to pay rates at our local one which was seen as rather unfair by the local butcher (selling local meat). I'm not sure how correct that is however.

I think they have probably helped to show the link between farmer and produce and for me (as an idealist) this is one of their most important functions.

I don't use ours for the reason that others have stated, it is incovenient (I avoid having to go into town at any time unless I have to go for work but especially on a Saturday), expensive (in that on the couple of occasions I have bought meat from there it hasn't been all that special). I buy meat and veg locally and usually in bulk.

My farmer's edited response (aside from his comments on organic which tend to need moderating) is that he has to provide a product on an economic scale on the world markets and hurrah for the weak �.

I have never visited one that appeared to be economically viable and I would like to.

Sorry - doesn't answer the question.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Sat Nov 28, 09 1:24 pm Post subject:

Cathryn wrote:

I have never visited one that appeared to be economically viable and I would like to.

That was my problem (as a potential producer) that would have meant it would not have been that economically attractive after investing in equipment & extra staff. Although you don't have rates, as you don't with a farm shop, you do have fees and where a shop can double up as processing/storage space, fees & fuel are gone at the end of the day.

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