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market-farming - Re: Farmers' Markets (sign of the times?) (fwd)

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Subject: Market Farming

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  • From: "Dave Bennett" <dbennett AT micoks.net>
  • To: "market farming" <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: Farmers' Markets (sign of the times?) (fwd)
  • Date: Mon, 15 May 2000 7:26:00 -0500


Your following statement presents a big problem. If I am a "brick & mortar"
business in town, then I am paying for a business license & taxes associated
with privilege of selling to the consumer base that shops in town. I would
not appreciate a group setting up a market, in direct competition with me,
that doesn't have to play by the same business rules I do. In fact, I would
urge any business groups I was a member of to actively campaign against the
elected officials who allowed such a thing. If you want the privilege of
selling into that customer base, compete on a level playing field. You can
set up your own store or sell wholesale into the market.

Farmers Markets do not "save" family farms. In our region (Kansas City) 95%
of all "Farmers Market" sellers are a) not farmers, b) did not grow any of
the produce they are selling, & c) are not local.

Farmers Markets have become another way for cities to collect further sales
tax revenue without having the expense of supporting these "bootleg"
businesses either administratively or physically (services). Try attending
any public meeting for businesses & see how far you get with voicing your
concerns or issues when the Council Members or licensed businesses discover
who you are.

"delannw" <delannw AT dlogue.net> wrote:
__________

>Maybe farmers markets should do a little of their own advertising to point
>out the advantages of knowing the grower, being able to talk to the grower,
>shopping in a less stressful environment, etc...

Dave




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