I LOVE shopping farmers markets to supplement the produce I grow at home…and as a gardener I’m always curious as to a farmers growing methods. But in talking with a few of my farming friends, I’ve learned that many “farmers” at the market are anything but. Some are resellers of purchased produce, selling under the guise of being a farmer.
Some claim to grow in a certain way, but don’t. Now, of course this is not ALL farmers (or even a majority), but the rise of popularity in local and organic produce means there is a corresponding rise of people looking to take advantage of an uneducated consumer.
I hit up my friend Steven Cornett of Nature’s Always Right, a local farmer who sells at the market. Together we came up with 5 questions to ask your farmer at the market, AND the answers you’re looking for to see if they’re growing food in a way that aligns with food you want to buy.
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Hi, Kevin !
Do you have Clinacanthus nutans，AKA Sabah Snake Grass ( 忧遁草) ? I'm looking for it.
Good information
I like #4 (question)
I ask the same questions, but I start by telling them that I have a small garden and that I'm experiencing issues with the produce that I'm purchasing from them. I compliment them on their yield, then I ask what they use to keep pests at bay that are in our area. That is when they share what they use. I've had some farmers invite me to see their production.
5 great questions to see what exactly is happening to the food your buying at the Farmers market. Food is so different from place to place and the quality as you state can be really different. Great information here Kevin for those buying food from these outlets over growing their own. Brilliant
The TLDR version:
1. Has your produce been to other markets.
2. What type of sprays do you use.
3. How do you feed your plants.
4. Can I visit your farm.
5. Do you grow everything you sell.
I'm not a farmer; but, have gone to our local farmers' market which sets up shop from about 9 am to 1 pm every Saturday from the first Saturday in May to the last Saturday in October. There might be a few exceptions since the Labor Day parade is held downtown where the market usually would be on the Saturday before Labor Day. Our market has rules that the vendors must follow in order to participate. I know of at least one vendor who was expelled from the market for trying to sell produce which he had purchased at the supermarket. The market rules do not allow that.
I am a small farmer and grow for a farmers market. I’ve had bad experiences with random people stopping over and overstepping boundaries so I would say no to a visit on the farm. Besides working full time and not being home during the day, it becomes a safety issue to my home and farm. This is good info for buyers
"Although about 90 percent of scientists believe G.M.O.s are safe — a view endorsed by the American Medical Association, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the World Health Organization — only slightly more than a third of consumers share this belief."
NY Times
Where's the dragon fruit update video? I really want to grow some.
Good idea to read the book 'Organic', by a journalist who decided to follow the supply chains of two fav breakfast items, to the actual farm of origin. Including overseas, lots of case reports. Made me feel good
Is it Seasonal, Organic, Unprocessed (sry ladies selling white flour n sugar pies) and Local – SOUL. And can I visit?
thanks for the information bro. i enjoy all your vids. and enjoy your hosting. :}
Scammers go to the big food distribution terminal, buy in bulk, then sell as if they farmed it. I call out their b.s. every time. They make home grown farmers look bad.
I asked someone how far away the farm was. He had no idea where it was.
Hi Kevin! Great information! Thank you for sharing!
Do farmers markets preclude a farmers cooperative from bulking and selling through a single point of distribution? Just wondering if there might be the occasional "middle man" who is legit re: questions 4 and 5.
Best gardening Channel EVER!!
Great questions. I will have to use these the next time I go to the farmer's market☺
I can always tell at my local markets, they have everything pre packaged in plastic or in bags and all the veg fruit are the same size and have every single fruit and veg you can buy at a store. I Love supporting the little old farmers that just have a couple of crops on their stalls .
How to avoid getting scammed at farmers markets? Easy; Step 1: don’t go to farmers market.
looking through your old videos. I really needed this – I have a lot of anxiety around food shopping, especially the farmers market because it's so frigging overwhelming and I don't have a lot of money! I really want to put the dollars I do have into good places though and having these questions to ask helps me feel a lot more confident. Next step is to actually go to the market and talk to someone XD
Thank you
I have stopped into my local grocery store to get coffee from the mermaid and seen people buying up large quantities of produce only to find them vending at the farmer's market an hour or two later. I partially blame this on the market organizers. No solution is perfect, but there should be a better vetting process for vendors, in my opinion. Otherwise, what's to stop me from going in to my local Kroger (same place I've witnessed this behavior) and buying a few cases of produce, swapping out the boxes for something that looks like I brought it from home and selling it and trying to pass it off as something home grown? If you want to sell at the farmer's market, you should welcome a visit from the market organizers to check out your garden. It puts more burden on the organizers, but I think it makes the market experience better for everyone involved.
Helpful!! I started going to Frmr Mrkts a year ago due to Covid. I've been wondering: how do I know this stuff is organic? How do I know their claims are accurate?
I have noticed that Frmr Mrkt products often have more taste & last much longer than store bought. That's a good sign.
Has any anyone done research? Is there an outfit that has tested Frmr Mrkt produce & meats?
Thanks for this video.
So you are the guy who created Karens at the markets
I pay attention to their face and especially to their hands.. Farming is a tough job, working outside is hard, especially during winter, so you can recognize a true farmer by paying close attention. at his her hands.