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Re: [Market-farming] interesting article in local magazine: market rules
- From: HERBKDR AT aol.com
- To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
- Subject: Re: [Market-farming] interesting article in local magazine: market rules
- Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2010 20:44:05 EDT
I do not normally respond but I do read and this topic hit a sore spot with
me. We belonged to and sold at a the biggest "farmers" market in the
state, for 11 years. We loved it for 8 of those and then all of a sudden
it became a job vs. a great, fun way to make a living. We hadn't changed
but the market had. It became a "7-11" vs. a "boutique" and unique place
to shop! It used to be a place where customers could shop and find
real farmers who grew things. Where producers raised the cattle for
beef. Where farmers really grew their plants and hanging baskets.
Where value added items were really made by the member.
What changed? It was simple, instead of the 3 day a week market it
soon turned into a 4 day a week (new location) and then 5 days a week
(another new location) and now 6 times a week ( and, yet another new
location!)! Sorry, but farmers need to farm!!! The daily fees to
sell at each market did not cover the cost of gas and hiring someone else to do
the farm work that we normally did! The customer base at the 3 original
markets slowed down. I mean, why would a customer drive to a downtown
location when there was going to be a market in their neighborhood in two
days! Little did they realize...the stuff they were buying was what did
not sell at the last market the day before or even two days before! And, I
forgot to mention that the "farmer" no longer had time to grow and now it became
a real business...one that meant he/she went to the auctions or heaven forbid
the big box store to buy those strawberries to sell 5 days a week! And,
yes I have seen "farmers' buying at the grocery store.
We now belong to a smaller, homegrown/produced market in the same
town. It's no longer a chore to go and we are happy once again. Are
we making the same amount of money? NO! Are we spending as much to
be there? NO! Are we glad that we choose this for our
livelihood? YES!
Have to admit that this new market is talking about expanding to more than
the 2 days that they currently set up and I have become very loudmouthed voicing
my opinion. We'll leave before we spend anymore time, energy and money on
another 7-11! Farmers markets are unique and should stay that way...one on
every corner makes them a WalMart, KMart, 7-11 and the wonderful experience of
shopping at a true farmers market is lost.
Now, having spouted off like I did, let me say one more thing. Our
"old" market set up 3 times a week ( 2 different locations) and each market
was different. I had no problem with that because they catered to
different customers. One day was more for the elderly who could not
navigate the downtown location, the other midweek market satisfied the downtown
workers who normally would not venture away from the "burbs" on Saturday.
The Saturday market ( the big one!) was a happening market! Customers met
their friends and family there, spent the afternoon shopping and enjoying their
time walking through the market. Yes, they spent money too! It was
an event and you had to be there if you were anybody! Now it's the same
way except the farmers are not making enough to survive...they have to deal with
resellers and selling at 5 other markets to make a living.
Okay, I am now off of my soapbox and with one final thought...too many
markets do not make for a good living for farmers.
Karin Rasmussen
Herb'n Renewal
Lancaster, KY
And, yes, we now sell only value added products even though we started out
growing our own herb plants. Times changed and we had to do the same thing
to pay for the darn farm that we refuse to leave!
|
-
Re: [Market-farming] interesting article in local magazine: market rules,
HERBKDR, 06/05/2010
- <Possible follow-up(s)>
-
Re: [Market-farming] interesting article in local magazine: market rules,
Barking Cat Farm, 06/06/2010
- Re: [Market-farming] interesting article in local magazine: market rules, Road's End Farm, 06/06/2010
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