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[Lynn Wigglesworth <lynnw1366 AT hotmail.com>]

bob ford wrote:
> I believe everything you wrote.. But, it makes no sense.  I am willing to 
> pay good money for fresh produce and better meats.  I think most people 
> are.  Why is farming not profitable?
>
There's a world of difference between commodity farming and direct-sales 
farming. There are areas of the country where a small direct-sales farm 
can earn a family a living...not a lot, but a simple life, if they have 
no debt.

In this area, people aren't willing to pay more for fresh produce. I ran 
a Farmers' Market, and most people came looking for a bargain. We were 
right across the street from the supermarket, and everyone knew the 
vegetable prices. We couldn't get a cent more than supermarket prices. 
By the end of the first season, all my vendors dropped out because they 
weren't making enough to warrant the $5/week vendor fee. What I don't 
understand is how factory farm in California can afford to ship a tomato 
across the country and sell it for less than I can sell mine.

The same is true of eggs...if the supermarket has an $.89/dozen special 
on eggs, I was expected to sell my free-range eggs for that, also. The 
only people who buy my meat are ones who understand how it is 
better...very few people, but I have a small operation and don't need 
many meat customers (most buy half or quarter cows).

Lynn Wigglesworth


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