I LOVE farmer’s markets and support them and shop at them whenever I can. Awesome produce, awesome people. And when I go to a farmer’s market, I’m there for the produce. I’ll buy a loaf a bread or a pastry treat if something looks amazingly delicious, though. But according to a fascinating article I read recently on how farmer’s markets have changed over the last decade, I’m in the minority.
The article gives insight from some growers who have seen their sales tank in recent years, like Zach Lester, co-owner of Tree and Leaf Farm in Unionville, Va, {their sales dropped by $50,000 per year}. “The customers have changed,” says Lester. “A lot of people that walk through markets are not shopping. They’re there to meet. They’re there to socialize.” They’re there to eat and drink, not shop for ingredients.
The decline in sales is, arguably, one result of the contemporary farmers market, which has evolved to meet the needs of a new generation of shoppers who view these outdoor markets as more a lifestyle choice than an opportunity to support local agriculture.
I have noticed a younger crowd at many farmer’s market, almost a hipper crowd, but I never really paid much attention to it. Or to what people had in their shopping bags {if they even had shopping bags!}.
So now I’m curious. What are you going to a farmer’s market for? To support local? To socialize? For the produce? For the food trucks? And have you noticed any changes at your local markets?
~Mavis
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Brenda says
My CSA farmers have said that in the past, holiday weekends were really good: people stocking up for the party. Now holiday weekends are usually worse (judging by sales) because people are bringing their guests to show off the farmer’s market, but not buying anything. Around me, (south west Michigan) the larger markets are getting huge with food trucks, artisan sellers, live music… they are almost too huge and over-whelming (too crowded, no place to park). The last few years, every little town has started their own market one night of the week (the huge one is on Saturday) so that I feel the market for farmer’s markets is becoming over-saturated.
Ellie says
Hi Mavis. Funny i’m reading your post just now and my 25yr old Son had just stopped by for a visit. And I had offered him a couple of Peaches my Husband had bought me at a Flea Market last weekend. And my Son started laughing because he (25) And his GF (22) go to the Local Farmers every weekend and they actually go for the Fresh Produce. I raised him right he loves fruits and veggies we’ve had a garden the last 5+ yrs. So always plenty of fresh veggies and strawberries etc. No garden this year as were moving. ☹️. I’ll miss my garden and I still have my Giant Artichoke Plant. I had posted I believe in Dec. or Jan. When you had talked about them surviving the freezing temps. And my Artichoke I believe we planted 3-4+ yrs ago survives every winter uncovered it will sometimes die back but this winter it was going strong and it’s close to 6Ft. Tall and I harvested 20+ Chokes and I ate everyone. No shares this year lol… I’ve been researching on taking it with me if possible if other readers have any suggestions how to do that. I’m in the Central Valley in California. PS. Growing up we also had a huge garden each year we were in the country and I remember having to weed/hoe & water everyday what a job. But My Step-Mom raised us right no TV till all our chores were finished. And never a weed anywhere. What a chore but a lil hard work never hurt any teenager. LoL I just turned 55 and appreciate she instilled that value. Well not as a teenager of course… Thank You, I’m so blessed I found you as I read everything you write about and the awesome posts from around the world you receive… Another Pss. LoL I love love the pics./posts Of Lucy she’s such a character and your very blessed. Dogs are parts of our family just as our children…
Kathy says
Our little farmer’s market has space for 80 vendors. I’ve noticed that more than half are food trucks, jewelry and other crafts, flowers, bread and homemade pasteries. When I go, it’s for fresh, local produce. Maybe fresh made pasta from Ohio City Pasta (look them up!). Too many people manhandling the produce, letting kids run wild and their dogs…won’t even get into that. Not like it used to be even just 2 years ago.
Ginger says
Same experience here in Redmond, WA, Kathy. We don’t even bother going anymore.
Gayle says
Dogs belong at home. Why people think it’s ok for children to run wild is beyond me. I just give them the Look….. I’m a vendor.
Julie C says
There are always dogs at our farmer’s market. Even some of the vendors bring their dogs. I love it! Gives it a real farm-like feeling. I haven’t seen too many wild children (or very many children at all).
Michelle says
I agree as long as the dogs are well behaved that they are welcome to be there, it is those that don’t control their dogs that make it a nuisance ( I guess the same could be said for children ;).
MH says
When we lived in small town northern Montana, the farmers market was affordable. The local Hutterites would come to town and sell their excess produce, usually for $1 a bag (almost 10 years ago) and they were happy to have the extra income. The market here is downtown, big, hard to park at, and while we want to support local farmers, it’s harder to get what I want to freeze or can for a price that makes it worth my time.
Crystal says
Our markets are about half veggies and such, and half other booths. But, the food at them is so much more expensive that it is hard to justify shopping there. I don’t know if it is the booth rental that costs so much or what, but they aren’t just charging a little more than the grocery store for something like, say, a bunch of broccoli. Instead, they are charging, often, more than five times as much. And while I love to support local farms, I can’t afford to buy produce at those prices. So I don’t tend to shop at the markets much, when I go, I buy maybe one or two things.
Lauralli says
Agreed! My small town has strict rules about vendors growing/making/baking their own products, but I just can’t justify the expense. And, it’s definitely a social event!
Katelyn says
I live in Vermont, mecca of farmer’s markets. They have changed. I think it’s been driven by the spread of CSAs (community supported agriculture) and the fact that it’s much easier to buy local produce in regular stores. It used to be the only place to let local lettuce was the farmer’s market – now there are a lot of places to buy it, which is great!
At 2 of my favorite markets (Burlington and Shelburne, in case anyone wants to visit!), you see a lot of farmers selling value-added products – breakfast sandwiches, popsicles, etc. They get to chat with people and don’t need to worry about waking up at 4am to pick corn and have a bunch of stuff leftover that didn’t sell, nor do they have to compete with 4 or 5 other farmers who are all selling essentially the same items at various prices.
It is different than it used to be but if you look at it as a new experience, it can be a lot of fun! Besides, now instead of just supporting farmers, we can support other local artisans and producers – the more the merrier!
Mavis Butterfield says
I LOVE the Burlington farmer’s market!!! I’ll check out the Shelburne market next time I’m there. Thanks for the tip.
Mimi says
When farmer’s markets first hit the scene in my area I loved buying fresh produce direct from the farm at decent prices but over time the markets have increasing gone “upscale”. The organic veg and fruit prices are beyond me and although I’ll occasionally pay a premium price for good bread or free range eggs, it’s not going to happen every week. Bottom line: I can no longer afford to do my weekly shopping there. I don’t have the big bucks required to support the prices.
Sandra says
100% agree! My town has a ‘Home Grown Farmers & Artisan’s Market” Huh?
I am a farmers market junkie, whatever town I visit, I find one. But I want a real, down home, farmers market or farm stand. I don’t need a live band, free coffee, pet sitters, overpriced hummus, artisan popsicles,cooking classes, etc. It is a nice community endeavor-don’t get me wrong, it is just not my thing. I want good,fresh,affordable produce. My family were produce brokers and shippers, I need good produce!
I sneak in to our local Saturday market, hoping it does not turn into a social hour I always run into neighbors, which is nice I guess, but I don want to feel I have to put make up on and dress up for a run to get quality produce. It has turned into a ‘What chef will show up this week” and groupie “in crowd”. I run from that type of thing. I sometimes drive out of my way to go to a different more down to earth farmers market. They now have a community “farm” on a vacant lot, they hold high dollar dinners for fund raisers, It is the social place to be seen for the social set. This stared out as a group of volunteers who felt we needed a better farmers market. Some have turned from a volunteer to a paid director, and its a “who’s who” of the community. I just want a real farm fresh quality produce farmers market. I can get my hummus at Trader Joes…
Toni says
I still have a bit of a romanticized vision of farmer’s markets – with farmers selling produce they actually grew. What I do see is a trend toward middle-man selling, and with greater diversity of produce: that is to say someone who does not grow the food, but does buy it in quantity from a wholesaler, then sells at the “farmer’s” market. One stall I remember had a great deal of green peppers weeks before they would normally be ready in my area. I asked the sales lady “did you grow these?” and her reply was “absolutely!”. Later when I wandered behind the vendors’ trucks, I saw two kids taking peppers from crates, peeling the stickers “product of USA” off them, and putting the peppers into bushel baskets for mum to carry to the stall and sell as homegrown. I live in southern Ontario – the vendor lied.
Another point – when a stall has a wide selection of many different types of produce, it’s likely because the vendor purchased rather than grew the produce. We go to pick-your-own farms for freezing and canning quantities and we keep a small fruit and veggie garden for most of our needs. I just realized that I haven’t been to a farmer’s market since last summer. They are just not what they used to be. Much of the produce is the same as the grocery store and priced higher.
Julie C says
We have a produce stand like that here. And they’re no cheaper than the store, so I’m not sure why anyone would bother shopping there. Our official farmer’s market, however, requires a visit to the farmer’s site to verify that he/she did indeed grow the produce. Sometimes a farmer that has a regular stand that generally sells his/her own produce will have produce from out of the area, but it’s always labelled.
Carol says
Hi Mavis, most fruit and veggies in our area are too expensive at the farmers markets these days. The grocery store is much cheaper as I pick out what is on sale then use it for the week. We have also found a farmer in our area and he provides U-PICK at excellent prices so we pick rhubarb,strawberries,cherries and apples and it all goes in the freezer for the year until we can go out and pick again(which we love). I do buy small amounts of fresh fruit and veggies during the winter but we use our frozen foods whenever we can. As a senior couple who loves to travel it is a way to keep our expenses down on a daily basis. The thought of buying bread for eight dollars a loaf makes me cringe as hubby bakes all our bread several times a week , it is yummy and very economical. Bread machines are the best!
bobbi dougherty says
I go for the produce and if there is something special for maybe a birthday or Christmas…but not junk, lol. There are quite a few cool booths. I pss on all the jewelry, don’t wear it, but there are other cool food items. Canned goods, pickles and such, jams, jellies and breads. Jerky, spreads like hummus! Makes me hungry now. Most of the people I see there are families and late 20’s-30’s. Some single and some older. In other words, buyers. But no youngin’s, lol.
Lisa says
I MUCH prefer the farmers markets of old, I only go for fresh produce, sometimes a quick pastry and coffee, but don’t like all of the other stuff. Minneapolis has a great market, if you get there early and avoid the socialites.
Teresa says
Listen. Here in Charlotte, North Carolina, the traffic is a bear. For me to get into my car, drive to the farmer’s market, battle the crowds and drive to my next stop is an ordeal. I am there for the produce peeps. On a rare occasion, I indulge in some flowers or plants.
I wish I was a bit more ‘chill,’ but alas I am in it for the veggies. My two cents.
Diana says
I would like to buy produce and homemade goods at our Farmer’s Market, but the prices have become absurdly high. I can’t justify it. Also, it seems like I’m buying from businesses; not home grown and home baked goods. If Great Harvest sells their bread at a farmer’s market booth, it’s not homemade or home grown; it’s commercially made; the same product sold at their retail bakery across town. (Although it IS tasty bread!) So basically, I’m echoing the same laments already said by others.
Sandi says
I’m from mid-Michigan and my local farmers market has also gone commercial. The farmers are sellimg produce they have purchased elsewhere. I don’t know about you but I expect my home-grown produce to be a bit dirty from the farm….it shouldn’t have stickers or be nice and shiny! Also, the farmers are getting to be less and less. There are more and more crafts people and mini restaurants. Not the market of long ago. However, some smaller outlying cities are doing their own markets and they have rules tbat tbey have to grow it or make it (awesome goat cheese from Midland) themselves. It a very refreshing back to basics concept!
Mavis Butterfield says
I totally agree!
Katherine says
None of the local markets are really worth attending unless you want to socialize or take photos. Many stalls/booths are selling non-edible merchandise or promotional junk. I also think it is questionable where the produce is coming from. Most stalls don’t seem to have very much produce and what they do have doesn’t look fresh and it’s twice the price of the grocery store.
Kristen says
We have a regional farmers market in Northeast CT. Different days at different towns.
They are in convenient locations so everyone can get there. I also noticed that the accept the grocery vouchers given to SNAP and WIC recipients. It s a fantastic way to get healthy food to those who really need it.
But I live in farm rich area. If I don’t make it to the farmers market, I know other farms & farmers upon whom I can visit. It’s all about relationships.
Eventhough the booths and whats available waxes and wanes, it’s is about the season and what’s available. Not everyone ‘gets’ that!
Katie P NC says
I usually go to my Wilmington NC Riverfront Farmers Market as a post run reward. Being downtown and on the water on Saturday morning is a nice change of scenery. I pack a canvas bag in my car and walk the 5 blocks (because of free parking versus the parking deck) to the market area and buy a few things. There are craft, plant and jewelry people down there but we’re a major tourist area so having a few booths like that make sense to me. I usually stock up on tomatoes, local goat cheese, beets and maybe a new herb plant. I usually take $20 with me so however far I can stretch that. I feel like I’m supporting local farms, get out of the house for some healthy activities, and get some delicious treats all at once. Win win win.
Leslie says
The farmers’ markets in Portland are have a lot of misc vendors. Produce, and some meat, some flowers, but also brickabrack and even company’s like Dave’s Killer Bread. I can’t stand going. Prices are way too high for me. Whole Foods is cheaper. Seems like I always find myself bumping into pretentious and discourteous folks. Definitely not my scene.
Julie C says
I go mostly for the fresh produce that I don’t/can’t grow in my own garden. My 16yo daughter, however, mainly goes because she likes to get an iced coffee from the local roastery that has a booth. I’m not much into the crafts, but I do like to grab a bite to eat at one of the booths sometimes.
Lady Locust says
Our farmer’s market is much smaller this year. There are only one or two booths that are actually “locals.” The rest are from half hour – hour away, commercial growers that sell to the grocery stores. The prices are the same or higher than the store. There is no organic produce. Basically it’s just another outlet for commercial producers. I seldom go, but it happens right next to my workplace so I see them set up. (I’m sure not all are like ours is.) I’ve had better luck sourcing what I’m looking for from “neighbors” (locals anyways) and working with them on an individual basis. I do very much try to support local producers, especially non-commercial.
Tammy says
I was just at a farmer’s market today. Most (over half) of the vendors were non-food items – *expensive* non-food items. I bought strawberries. I tasted some really good bread that I did think about buying but didn’t. There were little packages of micro greens (I don’t…even know? what are micro greens?). Dog food. Fancy cheese, fancy honey, etc.
There’s a larger farmer’s market that is farther away and when I go alone, I feel so conspicuously ALONE because everyone is there with their friends and coffees and selfies and probably not buying anything but coffees. I didn’t pay attention last year, and haven’t been there since last fall. Last summer/fall I was too busy lugging peaches and cabbages around to notice who was buying what. 😉
Jenny Young says
I don’t shop farmer’s markets…I’m not against them I am just for my family budget & convenience more. I rarely shop to support or boycott something. I realize where my money goes is what I support but the older I get the less dogmatic I am about so many divisive things like this. I grow a few things myself & buy the rest at Aldi or Walmart. The organic food prices have really come down though I don’t shop exclusively organic.
It’s very inconvenient for me to go to the market, I live in a rural area & the hours don’t fit with my schedule so I have to make a special trip if I go. But the few times I’ve gone…mainly for heirloom tomatoes, I’ve been disappointed. I couldn’t tell any difference in the flavor of the market tomatoes or the store tomatoes. Both my local Aldi & Walmart has started carrying more heirloom varieties with more flavor than the market ones. I always prefer my own home grown but living in the woods I haven’t been able to grow as much as I want with all the squirrels here.
I wonder if farmer’s would do better to sell directly to the local grocery stores? It would make it so much more convenient for the customers & they would have a much larger customer base that way.