Now this is an interesting concept. I would love to see more small family-run farms where I could buy or barter for their surplus produce, eggs, and meat.
The history of mankind everywhere and throughout history has been one of poverty and dealing with scarcity... it's the natural order of things. I remember growing up in rural east Tennessee with LOTS of family farms, and we had our own out behind the house where we grew corn, tomatoes, okra, and squash. What we didn't grow we could barter for with other families or supplement at the grocery store.
It has only been through cooperation with others, as in tribal societies, and then later in the 20th Century in the West, that capitalistic societies have created enough surplus to feed those who cannot (or will not) feed themselves and their families. We have become so accustomed to this surplus that we think of it as "normal." But it isn't.... what we in the West have seen, especially since the end of WWII, has been a growing welfare state that feeds people who don't produce anything.
But times do change, and I think we are in such a time of change right now. Today "farmer's markets" seem to be somewhat in the "concierge" economy and a polite fictional image of "roughing it" and paying high prices for moderate quality produce etc. There's always bound to be someone at these markets selling homemade soap, jewelry, and they in numbers about equal to actual farmers. They are "boutique" farmer's markets.
I would relish seeing actual 19th Century style farmers markets where all you see are competitively priced produce, eggs, meats, and foods essential to life. I think the last REAL farmer's market I ever saw was back in the 1960-70s.
those high prices are often (not always) reflective of the fact that many of the markets are only once a week and there are few/zero other local markets for these growers to sell at. Thus, they have to price their goods kind of high in order to just not lose money.
In my local town there is a once weekly market indoors that only runs from may to october. it’s held on county-owned property and there is zero reason it can’t be held year round AND more than once a week aside from the fact that the group that runs it doesn’t want to put in the effort to do it. The entire county is a food desert with only 1 Walmart, 1 Aldi and a smattering of dollar stores for everyone to rely on for food. I plan to make this an issue at city council meetings this winter and try to get support from locals to either force the town to expand the market or allow a second group to run an additional market in the same facility. This needs to be at least a bi weekly market that runs year round so that it is something people can actually rely on and not some bougie seasonal event meant just for fancy people. Shit makes me crazy lol.
This is a great summation of most farmers markets now a days, but I do think there are some exceptions when you go to international type farmers markets in bigger cities.
Soap, candles (especially beeswax), or sheepskin (wool) products are definitely part of the farmer's market. Chalk painted furniture, beading, & vintage clothes are not. And that's fully on the head of whomever runs the market. They do it to appeal to a bigger group that come in to stroll. Around me there are several like that and exactly as you say, expensive mediocre produce and not much of it. About half of the rest is "vintage" market rather than a farmers market. OTOH, there are 2 flea markets that have produce sellers. Their tables are piled high with great produce and usually half price of local markets. Weird dichotomy. Have never asked but I'd bet the reason they don't go to the farmers markets is the high space cost.
Now this is an interesting concept. I would love to see more small family-run farms where I could buy or barter for their surplus produce, eggs, and meat.
The history of mankind everywhere and throughout history has been one of poverty and dealing with scarcity... it's the natural order of things. I remember growing up in rural east Tennessee with LOTS of family farms, and we had our own out behind the house where we grew corn, tomatoes, okra, and squash. What we didn't grow we could barter for with other families or supplement at the grocery store.
It has only been through cooperation with others, as in tribal societies, and then later in the 20th Century in the West, that capitalistic societies have created enough surplus to feed those who cannot (or will not) feed themselves and their families. We have become so accustomed to this surplus that we think of it as "normal." But it isn't.... what we in the West have seen, especially since the end of WWII, has been a growing welfare state that feeds people who don't produce anything.
But times do change, and I think we are in such a time of change right now. Today "farmer's markets" seem to be somewhat in the "concierge" economy and a polite fictional image of "roughing it" and paying high prices for moderate quality produce etc. There's always bound to be someone at these markets selling homemade soap, jewelry, and they in numbers about equal to actual farmers. They are "boutique" farmer's markets.
I would relish seeing actual 19th Century style farmers markets where all you see are competitively priced produce, eggs, meats, and foods essential to life. I think the last REAL farmer's market I ever saw was back in the 1960-70s.
those high prices are often (not always) reflective of the fact that many of the markets are only once a week and there are few/zero other local markets for these growers to sell at. Thus, they have to price their goods kind of high in order to just not lose money.
In my local town there is a once weekly market indoors that only runs from may to october. it’s held on county-owned property and there is zero reason it can’t be held year round AND more than once a week aside from the fact that the group that runs it doesn’t want to put in the effort to do it. The entire county is a food desert with only 1 Walmart, 1 Aldi and a smattering of dollar stores for everyone to rely on for food. I plan to make this an issue at city council meetings this winter and try to get support from locals to either force the town to expand the market or allow a second group to run an additional market in the same facility. This needs to be at least a bi weekly market that runs year round so that it is something people can actually rely on and not some bougie seasonal event meant just for fancy people. Shit makes me crazy lol.
God bless you
aw thanks!! God bless you as well.
:)
Wait, so a large Stabucks & yoga pants aren't normal farming attire? The hell you say!
This is a great summation of most farmers markets now a days, but I do think there are some exceptions when you go to international type farmers markets in bigger cities.
^^^Agree 99%
Soap, candles (especially beeswax), or sheepskin (wool) products are definitely part of the farmer's market. Chalk painted furniture, beading, & vintage clothes are not. And that's fully on the head of whomever runs the market. They do it to appeal to a bigger group that come in to stroll. Around me there are several like that and exactly as you say, expensive mediocre produce and not much of it. About half of the rest is "vintage" market rather than a farmers market. OTOH, there are 2 flea markets that have produce sellers. Their tables are piled high with great produce and usually half price of local markets. Weird dichotomy. Have never asked but I'd bet the reason they don't go to the farmers markets is the high space cost.