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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] interesting article in local magazine: market rules

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  • 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!
 



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