Do you use Farmers Markets and if so why?

Harry Palmr

*This thread made with the help of Dizzyblonde* Thanks to her.

Hi I'm doing to short paper (well google doc) on this sector which organic food plays a part. It seemed like a good idea to mine the Food forum for it's opinions about same

Basically I'd like to know if you buy from Farmers Markets, if so is it for general perceived quality or a specific reason like supporting local producers, free-range, organic and so on.

Polls are not much good for multi questions so I'll ask you just copy and paste the following questions and answer them as you can.

Do you buy food from farmers markets?
How often?
Do you shop there more or less than 2 year ago?
Do you shop for the following reasons (yes/no)

---

support local produce

---

give feedback to grower

---

reduce carbon footprint

---

free range

---

good price for the given quality

---

organic

Feel free to add any thoughts on the whole farmers market movement.

Tipperary animal lover

good produce but find all these farmers markets are way over priced, I can get most of the same stuff from the nearest largest town near me, great fruit and veg shop organic/non organic produce at good prices, local butcher has great meal deals, also have a great deli doing great breads..... and my sister drops in as much free range eggs we can use for free, was at the farmers market down in main point shopping centre awhile back and couldn't get over the prices been charged but the place was packed .... i suppose fools and their money are easily parted. do a little research around your local area youll be surprised what yall find feom local vendors

Peatys

Do you buy food from farmers markets?
How often? Try for Weekly
Do you shop there more or less than 2 year ago? More
Do you shop for the following reasons (yes/no)

---

support local produce yes

---

give feedback to grower no

---

reduce carbon footprint no

---

free range yes

---

good price for the given quality no

---

organic yes

Feel free to add any thoughts on the whole farmers market movement.

The main draw for us is the whole experience. We do our main shop in lidl then supplement it with the market.

Maldesu

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Do you buy food from farmers markets?
How often?
Do you shop there more or less than 2 year ago?
Do you shop for the following reasons (yes/no)

---

support local produce

---

give feedback to grower

---

reduce carbon footprint

---

free range

---

good price for the given quality

---

organic

Yes
Weekly
On and off for 2 years
--
yes
no
no
no
yes
partly

My one has parking, which is a big plus, but the selection of veg and other foods is very good. One big bonus is that I can pick and choose how many of X item I want, reducing my waste considerably in terms of leftovers, but also plastics etc. There is also a nice rapport between stall owners and customers, which you just don't get in your chain supermarkets and makes shopping a lot less stressful.

Faith

Do you buy food from farmers markets?

Yes, I definitely do. However, I've moved around the world a lot over the years and I find the quality and selection very variable. If it's okay, I'll answer as if I were still living in Cork, where I most often visited famers' markets.

How often?

If I had the time and money, once or twice a week. Realistically, it's more like once a month. They're often mid-week (the best one locally is, anyway) so I can't get there with work.

Do you shop there more or less than 2 year ago?

N/A in reality, but again, if I were still living in Cork, I'd say the frequency would be unchanged. I have more disposable income now than when I last lived in Cork, so I might make more of an effort to visit ones on weekends.

Do you shop for the following reasons (yes/no)

---

support local produce

Yes

---

give feedback to grower

No

---

reduce carbon footprint

Not consciously, but that would be a nice side-effect

---

free range

Often, yes

---

good price for the given quality

Yes, especially for some artisan products that are difficult to get in supermarkets anywhere near the same quality

---

organic

No (I don't subscribe to the "organic is better" line of marketing).

Generally, I love famers' markets because of the buzz and the vibe. I'm thinking specifically of the one at Mahon Point in Cork, where you can get lots of great produce and meats and fish, but also lovely coffee and hot food (also, shout out to the guy who makes the green pesto who's probably reading this - got some when I was home at Christmas and it was as fabulous as ever!).

ellejay

Do you buy food from farmers markets?
Not any more.

How often?
Two weeks

Do you shop there more or less than 2 year ago?
Less

Do you shop for the following reasons (yes/no)

---

support local produce - Yes.

---

give feedback to grower - No

---

reduce carbon footprint - No

---

free range - Yes

---

good price for the given quality No - way over priced

---

organic - always ask before purchase

Feel free to add any thoughts on the whole farmers market movement.
Opening hours don't suit.
Produce seriously overpriced.

Muahahaha

Used to shop in farmers markets but gave up as I find them too expensive. In fact I see them as a symptom of the rip off culture that became prevalent over the last 15 years. As in they are growing the stuff themselves, cutting out all the middlemen like wholesalers, distributors, supermarkets and yet they still will not deliver the customer a saving? Seems odd to me. Im talking about Dublin here so maybe there is better value in other parts of Ireland.

Same thing goes for Irish craft beer, Ive brewed myself and know well that the types of beer they produce can be made for less than 40c a pint. But in Irish supermarkets & offies it is always priced much higher than imported beers which have all the extra costs of shipping which is not cheap when done by weight. Offies call 4 x 330ml bottles of craft beer for a tenner a "special offer", this is far from my understanding of how cheap it is to brew good beer, I could make the same quantity for around a euro.

beertons

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Do you buy food from farmers markets? Yes
How often? Try to every 2 weeks
Do you shop there more or less than 2 year ago? Same
Do you shop for the following reasons (yes/no)

---

support local produce yes

---

give feedback to grower yes

---

reduce carbon footprint no

---

free range yes

---

good price for the given quality yes

---

organic yes

Feel free to add any thoughts on the whole farmers market movement.

I like a bit of variety. There was a paella woman at our local one for a while, but her prices went up quickly. Sadly, she's gone now. So if we eat there, it's either a gluten free curry, stir-fry or pizza. No burgers, which is a pity. There is a butcher, but because he sells uncooked burgers, they won't have another stall selling the same thing. Butcher doesn't sell sausages because of a Jane Russell stall doing hot dogs. A bit mad, but that's the way they want it.

Alun

I'd happily shop at a farm shop, if there were one near me, but any "farmers" markets I've attended have been a complete disappointment. Overpriced "artisan" produce, with much of the organic veg imported, not that I buy into the whole organic thing either.

the beer revolu

I shop weekly in the small Cork city centre Saturday market.

I go specifically for apples and eggs. I can't get the same quality in supermarkets. Price is good too. Sometimes cider vinegar too.

Occasionally pick up other veg if it looks good and is reasonably priced.

Dizzyblonde

I never shop at farmers' markets because I think the products are overpriced. Artisan breads, fudge, cakes etc seem to be shockingly expensive. I don't think there's a decent market in North County Dublin where I live though, so maybe I'd feel different if there was.

I do support local though, I buy the bulk of my food shopping in an independent supermarket who buy from local growers/suppliers. If I come across a farm shop I'll buy from them too.

Harry Palmr

Thanks for the feedback so far

Muahahaha wrote: »

Used to shop in farmers markets but gave up as I find them too expensive. In fact I see them as a symptom of the rip off culture that became prevalent over the last 15 years. As in they are growing the stuff themselves, cutting out all the middlemen like wholesalers, distributors, supermarkets and yet they still will not deliver the customer a saving? Seems odd to me. Im talking about Dublin here so maybe there is better value in other parts of Ireland.

Broadly I suspect there is an element of price gouging based on supposed exclusivity of some sort but I'll note that small scale producers are not at an advantage when it comes to costs. Larger growers can get the price per unit down relative to a small grower through large scale deals re compost, seeds, seedlings, machinery to automate production v manual labour on small holding (cost per harvested kilo is very important for the retail price). Wholesalers operate on tiny margins they work on turnover, that's true of most supermarket chains (1-2%) so the notional savings of selling direct are over-estimated by most people.

timmaii

Do you buy food from farmers markets? Yes
How often? About twice a month
Do you shop there more or less than 2 year ago? The same
Do you shop for the following reasons (yes/no)

---

support local produce Yes

---

give feedback to grower Yes

---

reduce carbon footprint Yes

---

free range No

---

good price for the given quality. Quality is good but you do pay extra

---

organic No

Feel free to add any thoughts on the whole farmers market movement:
I just like the atmosphere. Some of the produce is much better than supermarket stuff so I don't mind paying a little extra for this e.g. cured meats, mushrooms, fresh fish. Can reduce the amount of plastic we use by not buying veg individually wrapped etc. which is a big plus

rubadub

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

Artisan breads, fudge, cakes etc seem to be shockingly expensive.

Several times I have passed by stalls and thought "that is not a bad price at all for once", only to cop on the price was per slice of cake, rather than the full thing!

Mooooo

Muahahaha wrote: »

Used to shop in farmers markets but gave up as I find them too expensive. In fact I see them as a symptom of the rip off culture that became prevalent over the last 15 years. As in they are growing the stuff themselves, cutting out all the middlemen like wholesalers, distributors, supermarkets and yet they still will not deliver the customer a saving? Seems odd to me. Im talking about Dublin here so maybe there is better value in other parts of Ireland.

Same thing goes for Irish craft beer, Ive brewed myself and know well that the types of beer they produce can be made for less than 40c a pint. But in Irish supermarkets & offies it is always priced much higher than imported beers which have all the extra costs of shipping which is not cheap when done by weight. Offies call 4 x 330ml bottles of craft beer for a tenner a "special offer", this is far from my understanding of how cheap it is to brew good beer, I could make the same quantity for around a euro.

The squeeze supermarkets put on suppliers esp of large scale veg is unreal, supermarkets use it to get people in the door giving primary producers v little margin over production. A person selling at a market I assume must pay rental/or rate? And has other overheads such as transport to directly deal with. Not saying some dont charge too much but generally the supermarkets can get their shelves filled for a fraction of the cost.

vicwatson

I don’t. Simply because I don’t trust the source, and in my experience they are a lot more expensive for not a great deal better quality than in a shop.

Harry Palmr

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

I never shop at farmers' markets because I think the products are overpriced. Artisan breads, fudge, cakes etc seem to be shockingly expensive. I don't think there's a decent market in North County Dublin where I live though, so maybe I'd feel different if there was.

I do support local though, I buy the bulk of my food shopping in an independent supermarket who buy from local growers/suppliers. If I come across a farm shop I'll buy from them too.

There's a big margin on this sort of thing, no question about it Even in shops some local producers charge a premium which is hard to overlook regardless of the quality.

sammyjo90

I like going to them for more ready to eat food rather than ingredients so I cant really comment on the questions. Sorry

rubadub wrote: »

Several times I have passed by stalls and thought "that is not a bad price at all for once", only to cop on the price was per slice of cake, rather than the full thing!

I used to help my sister on a bakery stall she used to have. Most of her loaf cakes would be around three euro and she would constantly get "sure you cant be making profit out of that!"
People were so used to being over charged for them she had to convince them otherwise!

byhookorbycrook

Do you buy food from farmers markets? Yes

How often? At least twice a month

Do you shop there more or less than 2 year ago? Same

Do you shop for the following reasons (yes/no)

---

support local produce. Very big yes!

---

give feedback to grower, No.

---

reduce carbon footprint Yes

---

free range Yes

---

good price for the given quality Yes

---

organic Sometimes.

I like meeting the producers and supporting local people where I can. And some of the items are hard to source elsewhere.

Whispered

Do you buy food from farmers markets?

Yes

How often?

currently monthly but that will increase as the weather gets better

Do you shop there more or less than 2 year ago?

The same
Do you shop for the following reasons (yes/no)

---

support local produce

Yes

---

give feedback to grower

No

---

reduce carbon footprint

yes

---

free range

Yes - this is one of the main reasons

---

good price for the given quality

no

---

organic

no

Feel free to add any thoughts on the whole farmers market movement

The main bonus for us, besides from an animal welfare viewpoint, is that we like our toddler to see where food comes from. Nothing overly packaged, this lady makes the yoghurt, this man grew these tomatoes etc He's also much more likely to taste new things if buying them was an exciting experience.

the beer revolu

I think the issue of produce being overly expensive really depends on the market and the individual trader. I don't think it's fair to paint them all with the same brush.

In my local small market I can buy 10 Irish apples for €2.50. That's cheaper than most supermarket apples and the quality is way, way better. Also 75 cl of proper cider vinegar for €5 is excellent value.

Good value in fish there too.

€2 for 6 very fresh free range (probably organic but not certified) eggs can't be argued with either.

Shenshen

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Do you buy food from farmers markets?

Sometimes

How often?

Very infrequently - maybe once every few months

Do you shop there more or less than 2 year ago?

About the same

Do you shop for the following reasons (yes/no)

---

support local produce

Yes

---

give feedback to grower

No

---

reduce carbon footprint

yes

---

free range

No

---

good price for the given quality

No

---

organic

No

The reason I don't really use them for my regular shop the way I would have done at home is because the "farmer's markets" down here in Cork seems to be little more than a euphemism for "conglomeration of food stalls". There's very, very little actual produce being sold, and what is being sold is far more expensive and of poorer quality than in the shops.
It's a crying shame, really, I do miss the markets from back home.

Malari

Shenshen wrote: »

the "farmer's markets" down here in Cork seems to be little more than a euphemism for "conglomeration of food stalls". There's very, very little actual produce being sold, and what is being sold is far more expensive and of poorer quality than in the shops.

I'd agree with this, and I rarely use the pop-up style markets, but I use the English Market a lot. I don't know if you consider that a Farmer's Market, OP, although Bord Bia does...https://www.bordbia.ie/consumer/aboutfood/farmersmarkets/pages/default.aspx.

Do you buy food from farmers markets? Yes

How often? Most weeks

Do you shop there more or less than 2 year ago? Same

Do you shop for the following reasons (yes/no)

---

support local produce. Yes

---

give feedback to grower, No

---

reduce carbon footprint Yes

---

free range Yes

---

good price for the given quality Sometimes

---

organic No

I love the quality of the meat and the pricing is mostly good value in the butchers I buy from. Mainly I like the reduction of packaging. I can stick everything in a bag I bring myself and I can avoid extraneous plastics.

I love the Aldi super-six, but sometimes I just cannot justify the ridiculous amount over over-packaging for cheap vegetables!

Shenshen

Malari wrote: »

I'd agree with this, and I rarely use the pop-up style markets, but I use the English Market a lot. I don't know if you consider that a Farmer's Market, OP, although Bord Bia does...https://www.bordbia.ie/consumer/aboutfood/farmersmarkets/pages/default.aspx.

I wouldn't really, there's only 2 vegetable shops and one of those definitely sells fruit and veg supermarket-style.

I've heard of a farm shop today from a colleagues, it's down near Nohoval. I'm planning on checking it out on the weekend, though it's a bit of a treck.

Malari

Shenshen wrote: »

I wouldn't really, there's only 2 vegetable shops and one of those definitely sells fruit and veg supermarket-style.

I've heard of a farm shop today from a colleagues, it's down near Nohoval. I'm planning on checking it out on the weekend, though it's a bit of a treck.

I'm sure there's more than just 2?

Shenshen

Malari wrote: »

I'm sure there's more than just 2?

Not last time I was there - which, granted, was maybe 6 months ago.
There's the health-food type place up near the part where they're selling chickens and eggs, and the supermarket-type down by the other entrance.

Malari

Shenshen wrote: »

Not last time I was there - which, granted, was maybe 6 months ago.
There's the health-food type place up near the part where they're selling chickens and eggs, and the supermarket-type down by the other entrance.

I guess I auto-pilot to the places I need to go to and don't notice other spots. I'll have to check next week when I'm in!