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Does produce at the farmers' market really come from a local organic farm, or are the people selling it straight-up lying? That is the question NBC Los Angeles tried to answer in a recent exposé on farmers' market vendors in Southern California. The conclusion: Not everything is all warm and fuzzy, sustainable, local, and organic in farmers'-marketville.
NBCLA went to the markets, bought produce, and then showed up at the "farms" where it was supposed to be grown. The results were disheartening. Investigators found "farms" that consisted of empty dirt plots or weed-covered patches; people loading trucks up with produce at a big wholesale warehouse; and "pesticide-free" strawberries that lab analysis showed had pesticide residue.
In the last two years, the number of farmers' markets grew from 4,685 to 6,132, according to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's stats. Is it really that shocking that people are capitalizing on the trendiness of these markets to make a buck? No. So how paranoid should you be that you're being duped?
"I would caution shoppers against being overly suspicious," says Julie Cummins, the director of education at the Center for Urban Education About Sustainable Agriculture (CUESA) in San Francisco. "Yes, there are surely a few cheaters, but to my knowledge, the vast majority of farmers selling in farmers' markets are honest about what they grow." That said, here are some tips from CUESA to ensure a vendor is legit and you aren't being misled.
• Good signs: Cummins says to look for farms with real transparency. Some indicators that a vendor is the real deal include offering farm tours, having a produce stand at the farm itself, operating a CSA, holding farm dinners, and even blogging and posting photos of the farm.
• Bad signs: The main red flag is produce that is obviously out of season, says Cummins. Another possible sign of a faux farm is stickers on produce, because labeling is required for supermarket retail sale. However, some farms may label all of their produce.
• "Pesticide free." Unlike stating that your product is organic, saying it's pesticide-free is a claim not subject to any kind of third-party oversight. So it may be a lie. "People concerned about pesticide residues should look for certified organic produce," says Cummins.
• If in doubt, ask questions. Examples: "Did your farm grow everything being sold at the stand?" "Is there anything you didn't grow?" "Where is this grown?" "What is the harvest season?" Waffling or surliness on the part of the vendor may be a sign that not everything is as it seems.
• Every farmers' market is not created equal. "The term farmers' market means different things in different places," says Cummins. Just because something calls itself a farmers' market doesn't mean it's supplied by a bunch of mom-and-pop farmers. It may just be a produce mart. In California, you can check for certified farmers' markets at cafarmersmarkets.com. In other places, try to find out who the market manager is and ask them which (if any) vendors grow their own produce.
Image by CHOW.com
I want to find a large quantity of fresh dill, meaning bouquets, stems, etc. I live in the Belleville Illinois area and cannot find it anywhere. I grew quite a bit this year but my plants have now died and my new crops will not be here till late fall. I can find all kinds of dried seeds and dill weed but I want the complete stems. Thanks for your help. Mary
Forgot to post this... If you live in NY city [and for some really strange reason don't know about this] or are just visiting, you should try the Union Square Greenmarket, at Broadway and 14th Street. It's great, the vendors are friendly, even by late afternoon, which is when I usually shop, and you can find some interesting things. I've never found a sticker from Mexico or China. Enjoy! Find it...+READ
Forgot to post this... If you live in NY city [and for some really strange reason don't know about this] or are just visiting, you should try the Union Square Greenmarket, at Broadway and 14th Street. It's great, the vendors are friendly, even by late afternoon, which is when I usually shop, and you can find some interesting things. I've never found a sticker from Mexico or China. Enjoy! Find it online.-COLLAPSE
Also, Monopod, what's a CSA?
Johng6, I agree. Knowing the vendor really helps.
to whaledancer, where is Harbor Area Farmer's Market? Thanks, in advance.
One thing that helps protect you is to go to a Certified Farmers Market. There are inspectors that regularly check to see that the produce each stand is selling is what is listed on their license. I've watched the inspectors do this and they take it seriously. I've talked to the guy who manages the Harbor Area Farmers Markets (run by the South Coast Interfaith Council) and I know he monitors the...+READ
One thing that helps protect you is to go to a Certified Farmers Market. There are inspectors that regularly check to see that the produce each stand is selling is what is listed on their license. I've watched the inspectors do this and they take it seriously. I've talked to the guy who manages the Harbor Area Farmers Markets (run by the South Coast Interfaith Council) and I know he monitors the vendors pretty closely. I've gotten there early when they were still setting up, and seen him checking the produce as they set it out. At least at the Harbor Area Farmers Markets, they work hard to make sure that they are selling products they've grown.-COLLAPSE
During the growing season I see the same Amish families at Aldi's on Friday afternoon buying produce selling the same produce Saturday morning at my town's "farmer's market" They don't even bother to conceal the disgarded packaging laying in the back of the wagons.
So yes, definately buyer beware.
This is always a case of buyer beware - in most states you do not have to adhere to any rules to put up a "farmers market" sign and produce can be just that bought at a local warehouse or wholesaler.
That being said, if you do your homework you will find great local produce at markets you know are being held locally -as easily as checking with your state government's board of Agriculture. They...+READ
This is always a case of buyer beware - in most states you do not have to adhere to any rules to put up a "farmers market" sign and produce can be just that bought at a local warehouse or wholesaler.
That being said, if you do your homework you will find great local produce at markets you know are being held locally -as easily as checking with your state government's board of Agriculture. They often work hand in hand with farmers to nurture the grower/customer relationship. State government inspects and issues organic licenses, so they will know which farmers are organic.
Farmers feed the nation - and have been - small and large - from the very beginnings of our country. The small family farms struggled through the days when few saw their merit, and have now regained their footing in direct marketing via farm stands and farmers markets. It may be 'trendy' to some, but it is good to remember this is the livelihood of many families - some for many generations
Yes, in some cases, they supplement their in-season produce with things they know customers are looking for (the avocado story made me grin) but usually they are upfront about the fact that this crop is not theirs but purchased for the customer's convenience.-COLLAPSE
I have DEFINITELY seen some shady stuff at farmers markets, although I guess they aren't technically lying if they FORGOT TO TAKE THE STICKERS FROM THE WHOLESALER OFF!
I also liked the on-the-farm veggie stand that had avocados. In Maryland. In October. With "Producto en Mexico" stickers on them. Sigh.
More rocket science advice from the chow folks.
Don't care a hoot if it's organic. Do like to hear when folks only use pesticides when absolutely necessary.
LOOK AT THE PRODUCE, you can easily tell if it looks like the usual supermarket produce or is local.
I saw some stands selling garlic that looked just like the supermarket grown-in-China stuff lately. Local garlic rightly fetches a fairly...+READ
More rocket science advice from the chow folks.
Don't care a hoot if it's organic. Do like to hear when folks only use pesticides when absolutely necessary.
LOOK AT THE PRODUCE, you can easily tell if it looks like the usual supermarket produce or is local.
I saw some stands selling garlic that looked just like the supermarket grown-in-China stuff lately. Local garlic rightly fetches a fairly high price here in New England because it tastes and keeps much better. Stay away from that vendor!
Per Calli above, KNOW YOUR FARMERS. I have been buying from some of the same folks for years. I know when the Molly Delicious apples are in season, etc. etc. Spend 30 seconds actually talking to the farmers and you will know in a hurry if it ain't local.
At a farmer's market, everything should be from that farm. But at many Boston area side of the road farm stands, they will source a LOT from other local farmers. This is particularly true with fruit, apples, peaches, etc. as a lot of farms don't have orchards. That said, if they have Granny Smith apples in May, in New England. Likely that came off a truck from far far away... duh.
It's all just common sense.-COLLAPSE
Many small and trustworthy producers can't afford, or even want, official organic certification. Add to this the constant attempts from some large producers to water down organic standards, and you're better off getting to know the farmers you are buying from. It won't take long to figure out who's growing practices match your own preferences--"Organic" label or not.
"I don't mind paying actual farmers more than what produce at the store costs...but I mind terribly that the scamsters are taking advantage."
Absolutely. I tend to suspect all the farmers' markets in Tucson, mostly because this isn't a really great place to grow food a lot of the year- enough for a regular market, anyway. That and the cartons from out-of-state farms they don't even bother...+READ
"I don't mind paying actual farmers more than what produce at the store costs...but I mind terribly that the scamsters are taking advantage."
Absolutely. I tend to suspect all the farmers' markets in Tucson, mostly because this isn't a really great place to grow food a lot of the year- enough for a regular market, anyway. That and the cartons from out-of-state farms they don't even bother pulling the pale pink identical tomatoes out of before offering them for sale an a specially increased price.-COLLAPSE
"Did your farm grow everything being sold at the stand?" - Disagree with that one, we get a CSA from a guy who grows more of some things than he can sell, so he trades with other farmers. Just because he didn't grow it, doesn't mean anything, you need to get to know your vendor most of all.
Guaranteed bad sign: bananas for sale at a farmer's market featuring local produce in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
I don't mind paying actual farmers more than what produce at the store costs...but I mind terribly that the scamsters are taking advantage.
The Fox station in Detroit aired a similar story recently...hidden camera asking a farmer if he grew his own produce, used pesticides, etc. Of course he said all the right things. Then they caught him at the wholesale produce market in downtown Detroit,...+READ
I don't mind paying actual farmers more than what produce at the store costs...but I mind terribly that the scamsters are taking advantage.
The Fox station in Detroit aired a similar story recently...hidden camera asking a farmer if he grew his own produce, used pesticides, etc. Of course he said all the right things. Then they caught him at the wholesale produce market in downtown Detroit, buying the things he said he grew.
It seems this guy only sold at the small markets, not the large, policed county farmers markets. Caveat emptor.-COLLAPSE
Ours started a few years ago, just 3 blocks away, but they peal the onions, why?
Plus what you buy, you can tell is old, the beet tops are wilted or missing altogether.
Now the prices, no cheaper than the local grocery store 2 blocks away and sometimes even more expensive than the store.
I went once this summer and only bought old leeks for a $1 a bunch, they did come back to life after soaking...+READ
Ours started a few years ago, just 3 blocks away, but they peal the onions, why?
Plus what you buy, you can tell is old, the beet tops are wilted or missing altogether.
Now the prices, no cheaper than the local grocery store 2 blocks away and sometimes even more expensive than the store.
I went once this summer and only bought old leeks for a $1 a bunch, they did come back to life after soaking in water a few days.-COLLAPSE
Some farmer's markets (the one in Boulder, CO, for instance) have their own policies requiring all produce to be actually local, and do the legwork to enforce it. Might try checking with the people who run the market to see how they do it.
Also, consider joining a CSA - you get a share of veggies/fruits straight from the farm, without even the farm stand as the middleman! Really cool, especially...+READ
Some farmer's markets (the one in Boulder, CO, for instance) have their own policies requiring all produce to be actually local, and do the legwork to enforce it. Might try checking with the people who run the market to see how they do it.
Also, consider joining a CSA - you get a share of veggies/fruits straight from the farm, without even the farm stand as the middleman! Really cool, especially for little kids who get to see the place where their food came from.-COLLAPSE
At or local farmers market one stand proclaimed fresh local necterines yet the little sticker clearly stated prod. of USA....Maybe they meant that local included all of North America. or possibly they are geographically challenged
Actually, this is interesting. Although "pesticide free" is not a regulated term, "organic" as a regulated term permits the use of organic pesticides. Whereas pesticide free in some cases (not all, I agree you must know the farmer) means completely free of pesticides. In other words, what organic actually should be.
So be careful and educate yourself.
most of the sellers at our local "farmer's market" don't even try to hide the fact that they are selling produce they picked up from sams wholesale or the grocery store...
My neighbors have the best tasting fruit trees and when in season I get it from them. Many people who have fruit trees will gladly let you have some or sell them for close to free. Your chances of getting pesticide free fruits are better than at the Farmers Market where you can't be sure of what you're getting. Just look around almost everyone owns at least some kind of tree in your block....+READ
My neighbors have the best tasting fruit trees and when in season I get it from them. Many people who have fruit trees will gladly let you have some or sell them for close to free. Your chances of getting pesticide free fruits are better than at the Farmers Market where you can't be sure of what you're getting. Just look around almost everyone owns at least some kind of tree in your block. Veggies? some neighborhoods have their own veggie garden or grow your own. Pesticide free, fresh & cheap couldn't get better than that!-COLLAPSE
This is why I only buy food with "Proudly Covered in Pesticides" stickers on them. Then I know I'm not getting lied to.
Well DUH! Oiut of season is bad, nearly every stand but the cheese ones at my local farmer's market is prettyt seasonal I don't expect to see eggplants in the bleak mid-winter or strawberries at the end of August.
I wouldn't put too much stock in vendor surliness. Have you ever had a stall at a Farmer's Market? After a while, answering hundreds of questions, or having just one too many buffet-type samplers, can make you a bit testy.
In some cases, the markets police themselves. One of the markets I frequent insists all items are home-grown, home cooked and homemade. Someone showed up with produce too early for the season, and fellow vendors outed him, and he was gone from the market, for good.