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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Pricing produce

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  • From: Pat Meadows <pat AT meadows.pair.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Pricing produce
  • Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2004 08:57:12 -0500

On Fri, 19 Mar 2004 18:25:11 -0600 (CST), you wrote:


>
> 1. How many dollars you need in order to keep the
> bills paid
> 2. How many dollars is costs you to keep the veggies
> growing
> 3. How many dollars potential customers are willing to
> pay for the veggies you help grow
>
>There may be other considerations but I can't think of them.
>

I would also put a value on not undercutting other market
gardeners in my local area. Price-fixing is illegal of
course.

But we'll all know roughly what others at a farmers market
charge for the same thing - this can't be helped.

Suppose (this is only hypothetical) that I'm a hobbyist who
doesn't NEED to make any money from my lettuce sales whereas
others could be depending upon their sales to make their
living or part of it.

Therefore, I think it would be unethical to take away their
business by seriously undercutting them. And I would,
accordingly, not go to the farmers market and charge half
the going rate.

This would also accustom consumers to paying unrealistically
low prices which isn't good for any farmer in the long run.

Profit isn't the only consideration in pricing.

Pat

--
"Rats and roaches live by competition under the laws of
supply and demand. It is the privilege of human beings to
live under the laws of justice and mercy." - Wendell Berry




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