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  • From: KAKerby AT aol.com
  • To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Disappointing Phoenix farmers markets
  • Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:27:00 -0500 (EST)

Pains me to hear that PHX has been so inundated with "pretend" farmers' markets, particularly since I just mailed off that buy-local calendar to my brother who lives down there with his young, goes-through-a-lot-of-groceries family.  My first thought was also to start your own market with the high standards listed below.  Quite an easy thing to say, a whole 'nuther thing to execute successfully.  If you have even the slightest interest in creating that market, and I hope you do, I work with several folks up here in the Seattle area who have done exactly that.  If you'd like I could put you in touch with them and they could perhaps help you put together some kind of game plan, then sort through all the 1001 issues and details to get a viable, competitive market going down there.  I believe there are others on this list who have also created those kinds of markets, tho' I don't happen to remember who they are (sorry!).  Hopefully they will also contribute ideas and suggestions for how to get started.  Please let us know if you do go down that road; you'll have a near-instant cheerleading section and no shortage of "been there/tried that" input.
Kathryn Kerby
frogchorusfarm.com
Snohomish, WA
 
In a message dated 12/29/2010 6:01:29 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, toddlister1 AT gmail.com writes:
Start a new market with strict bylaws excluding non-producers.
Local, sustainably grown and vendor grown are highlights people want.
Good luck.
Todd

On Wed, Dec 29, 2010 at 1:06 AM, Thamnophis <thamnophis AT gmail.com> wrote:
I know the Phoenix area can be tough to grow in, but I was really
disappointed to see all the brokered produce at their markets this
month. The majority of the dozen or so area markets are run by a
couple who appear to be in it only for the money. They charge 10% of
every sale plus the stall fee.

Do other markets charge on a percent basis like this?

It looked to me like 80% of the produce and flowers were imported. The
vendors were very obviously trying to let people believe it was what
they produced unless asked directly. But when asked they admitted they
didn't grow it. Even those selling jams and jellies didn't grow or can
their product. The flower guys were selling the same South American
varieties that the grocery stores do and there were more than a few
selling greasy burritos or some other fast food.

As is the case for much of Arizona business, they prey on the snow
birds and elderly retirees, but it  made me wonder if all farmers
markets are going to be "commercialized" by two-bit scoundrels or if
some sort of government regulation might have to be imposed.

The two growers I spoke with are, of coursed, bothered by this, but
what can they do when the whole regions farmer's markets are run by
the same money grubbing people?

Joe
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