Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

market-farming - [Market-farming] Getting ready to market

market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Market Farming

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Margaret <booldawgs AT cavenet.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [Market-farming] Getting ready to market
  • Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 13:08:13 -0700

I went to my nearest Farmer's Market yesterday to look as a future participant, rather just going to shop. I checked it out briefly last year. I was rather disappointed to see so many prepared food, crafts,and furniture sellers as compared to farmers. I did come away feeling very positive about my products though.

Admitted, it was a hot day but the produce looked pretty bad. The peas were lovely but the salad mixes were wilted and pretty boring. The cut flowers were pretty basic and wilting. One seller told me she sells most of her "certified organic" products to stores. Her root vegetables were ugly and had been munched by insects. All of her leafy products had holes eaten in them. I feel that the week's leftovers were brought to the market to sell. I have some background as a caterer and most of it I would not purchased for my own use or as a chef.

People were lining up to buy anyway, lol. Basil was selling well. I told several buyers how to make pesto. No one was giving recipes at their sites. I did see cookbooks for sale. Prices seemed pretty high to me but I haven't done much research in that area.

I admit that most of my Farmer's Market shopping have been in California. The Sonoma and Marin County markets are incredible so maybe I am just spoiled.

Next year I will start out selling bedding plants, move into mesclun mix, peas and then basil and heirloom tomatoes. It is hard for me to keep it simple but I have learned the hard way to start simple. I also raise Dexter cattle and Shetland and Jacob sheep so I will have a sign for grass fed meat.
Margaret





Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page