Thread: Why are farmers markets expensive?

Mr. Nonsense <[email protected]> wrote:

>Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
>reasons why they should be cheaper:
>
>1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>
>2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>
>3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>do monkey work.
>
>I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>than make up for that.

Market pricing, dude.


S.

In article
<[email protected]>,
"Mr. Nonsense" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>
> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>
> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>
> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
> do monkey work.
>
> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
> than make up for that.

You're going to the wrong farmer's markets.

My local one is as cheap or (usually) cheaper than supermarkets, and the
produce is much better.

Miche

--
Electricians do it in three phases

On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:18:48 +1200, Miche <[email protected]>
shouted from the highest rooftop:

>In article
><[email protected]>,
> "Mr. Nonsense" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
>> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>>
>> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>>
>> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>>
>> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>> do monkey work.
>>
>> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>> than make up for that.
>
>You're going to the wrong farmer's markets.
>
>My local one is as cheap or (usually) cheaper than supermarkets, and the
>produce is much better.

Same here. And not only cheaper, but far better quality and choice.

--

una cerveza mas por favor ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~
Wax-up and drop-in of Surfing's Golden Years: <http://www.surfwriter.net>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mr. Nonsense" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>
> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>
> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>
> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
> do monkey work.
>
> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
> than make up for that.

Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage than the
big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick instead of having
a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more selective of actually
ripe produce.

They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not shipping
truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market day. What you
perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.

Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> "Mr. Nonsense" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]..
>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
>> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>>
>> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>>
>> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>>
>> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>> do monkey work.
>>
>> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>> than make up for that.
>
> Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage than the
> big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick instead of having
> a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more selective of actually
> ripe produce.
>
> They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not shipping
> truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market day. What you
> perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.
>
>

I agree, the local farmer's market is close to twice the cost, as the
local grocery.

Bob

Ed Pawlowski said...

>
> "Mr. Nonsense" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]..
>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
>> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>>
>> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>>
>> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>>
>> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>> do monkey work.
>>
>> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>> than make up for that.
>
> Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage than
> the big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick instead of
> having a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more selective of
> actually ripe produce.
>
> They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not shipping
> truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market day. What
> you perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.


Mornin' Ed

Sorry to piggyback.

I disagree with the OP. I can go to the ACME supermarket and pay 2-3x the
price of the farmer's market (produce market) across the street. I haven't
bought produce at the ACME in years!

The farm industry in and around the Delaware Valley (PA, NJ, DE) region
seasonally produce a wealth of crops to the farmer's markets. A lot of year
round produce from around the country also arrives on a pretty steady
basis, and it's fairly priced. http://i43.tinypic.com/289npv.jpg (from a
couple years ago.

Andy
--
"I only know what I read, not what I'm talking about!"
--Andy

Andy wrote:
> Ed Pawlowski said...
>
>> "Mr. Nonsense" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]..
>>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
>>> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>>>
>>> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>>>
>>> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>>>
>>> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>>> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>>> do monkey work.
>>>
>>> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>>> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>>> than make up for that.
>> Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage than
>> the big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick instead of
>> having a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more selective of
>> actually ripe produce.
>>
>> They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not shipping
>> truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market day. What
>> you perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.
>
>
> Mornin' Ed
>
> Sorry to piggyback.
>
> I disagree with the OP. I can go to the ACME supermarket and pay 2-3x the
> price of the farmer's market (produce market) across the street. I haven't
> bought produce at the ACME in years!
>
> The farm industry in and around the Delaware Valley (PA, NJ, DE) region
> seasonally produce a wealth of crops to the farmer's markets. A lot of year
> round produce from around the country also arrives on a pretty steady
> basis, and it's fairly priced. http://i43.tinypic.com/289npv.jpg (from a
> couple years ago.
>
> Andy

Nothing wrong with disagreeing. What is within your experience is just that.

Bo

Bob Muncie said...

> Andy wrote:
>> Ed Pawlowski said...
>>
>>> "Mr. Nonsense" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected].
>>> .
>>>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>>>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of
>>>> three reasons why they should be cheaper:
>>>>
>>>> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>>>>
>>>> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>>>>
>>>> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>>>> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>>>> do monkey work.
>>>>
>>>> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>>>> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>>>> than make up for that.
>>> Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage
>>> than the big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick
>>> instead of having a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more
>>> selective of actually ripe produce.
>>>
>>> They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not
>>> shipping truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market
>>> day. What you perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.
>>
>>
>> Mornin' Ed
>>
>> Sorry to piggyback.
>>
>> I disagree with the OP. I can go to the ACME supermarket and pay 2-3x
>> the price of the farmer's market (produce market) across the street. I
>> haven't bought produce at the ACME in years!
>>
>> The farm industry in and around the Delaware Valley (PA, NJ, DE) region
>> seasonally produce a wealth of crops to the farmer's markets. A lot of
>> year round produce from around the country also arrives on a pretty
>> steady basis, and it's fairly priced. http://i43.tinypic.com/289npv.jpg
>> (from a couple years ago.
>>
>> Andy
>
> Nothing wrong with disagreeing. What is within your experience is just
> that.


Yep!

The ACME actually had the nerve to dump their baby artichokes onto the
"large artichokes" labeled shelf @ $2/ea. I just about wanted to laugh.
There's highway robbery for ya!!!

Andy
--
"I only know what I read, not what I'm talking about!"
--Andy

On Jun 24, 12:36*am, "Mr. Nonsense" <nonse...@mynonsense.net> wrote:
> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>
> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>
> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>
> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
> do monkey work.
>
> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
> than make up for that.

I find quite the opposite! My local "farmer's markets" are much less
expensive than my local grocery stores on most produce. Sometimes they
are AS expensive, owing to the fact that not all the produce farmer's
markets get is actually direct from farmers (they get it through the
same mass food distribution networks that grocery stores do), but
never more expensive than grocery stores.

Just my experience!

John Kuthe...

In article <[email protected]>,
"Ed Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote:

> "Mr. Nonsense" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]..
> > Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
> > I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
> > reasons why they should be cheaper:
> >
> > 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
> >
> > 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
> >
> > 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
> > In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
> > do monkey work.
> >
> > I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
> > economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
> > than make up for that.
>
> Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage than the
> big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick instead of having
> a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more selective of actually
> ripe produce.
>
> They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not shipping
> truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market day. What you
> perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.

Some farmers markets are really just supermarkets in disguise where
their produce is not locally grown. In farmers markets where their stuff
is locally grown, I have found them to be cheaper than supermarkets.

In article <h1svrr$197$[email protected]>,
Bob Muncie <[email protected]> wrote:

> Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> > "Mr. Nonsense" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]..
> >> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
> >> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
> >> reasons why they should be cheaper:
> >>
> >> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
> >>
> >> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
> >>
> >> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
> >> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
> >> do monkey work.
> >>
> >> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
> >> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
> >> than make up for that.
> >
> > Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage than
> > the
> > big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick instead of having
> > a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more selective of actually
> > ripe produce.
> >
> > They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not shipping
> > truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market day. What you
> > perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.
> >
> >
>
> I agree, the local farmer's market is close to twice the cost, as the
> local grocery.

Is your "local farmer's market" really selling locally grown produce? I
seriously doubt it.

"Mr. Nonsense" <[email protected]> news:b5e09651-e24f-422a-b935-
[email protected]: in rec.food.cooking

> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>
> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>
> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>
> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
> do monkey work.
>
> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
> than make up for that.

I haven't found that to be the case except with some of the yuppie type
"farmer's market" places we have. Yes, you'll find more expensive
pricing at the Kirkwood Farmer's Market than the supermarket but the
Soulard Farmer's Market is much less expensive. What I've seen is the
Kirkwood place sells the same stuff they sell in the supermarkets (with
some exceptions of course), while Soulard is local farmers selling
locally grown produce.

I prefer to support the local people around here. You'll save money and
the quality of the produce is superior to the produce found in the
supermarkets and faux farmer's markets.

Michael

--
“Always tell the truth - it's the easiest thing to remember”
~ American Playwright David Mamet

You can find me at: - michael at lonergan dot us dot com

Shawn Hirn wrote:
> In article <h1svrr$197$[email protected]>,
> Bob Muncie <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>> "Mr. Nonsense" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]..
>>>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>>>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
>>>> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>>>>
>>>> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>>>>
>>>> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>>>>
>>>> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>>>> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>>>> do monkey work.
>>>>
>>>> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>>>> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>>>> than make up for that.
>>> Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage than
>>> the
>>> big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick instead of having
>>> a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more selective of actually
>>> ripe produce.
>>>
>>> They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not shipping
>>> truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market day. What you
>>> perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.
>>>
>>>
>> I agree, the local farmer's market is close to twice the cost, as the
>> local grocery.
>
> Is your "local farmer's market" really selling locally grown produce? I
> seriously doubt it.


Straight from their farm.

Bob

On Jun 24, 6:43*am, "Michael \"Dog3\"" <don't...@donttell.huh> wrote:
> "Mr. Nonsense" <nonse...@mynonsense.net> *news:b5e09651-e24f-422a-b935-
> eda3879e0...@c9g2000yqm.googlegroups.com: in rec.food.cooking
>
> > Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
> > I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
> > reasons why they should be cheaper:
>
> > 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>
> > 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>
> > 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
> > In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
> > do monkey work.
>
> > I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
> > economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
> > than make up for that.
>
> I haven't found that to be the case except with some of the yuppie type
> "farmer's market" places we have. *Yes, you'll find more expensive
> pricing at the Kirkwood Farmer's Market than the supermarket but the
> Soulard Farmer's Market is much less expensive. *What I've seen is *the
> Kirkwood place sells the same stuff they sell in the supermarkets (with
> some exceptions of course), while Soulard is local farmers selling
> locally grown produce.
>
> I prefer to support the local people around here. *You'll save money and
> the quality of the produce is superior to the produce found in the
> supermarkets and faux farmer's markets.
>
> Michael
>
> --
> “Always tell the truth - it's the easiest thing to remember”
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ~ American Playwright David Mamet
>
> You can find me at: - michael at lonergan dot us dot com

Exactly! Yuppified farmer's markets are a joke! In STL I go to the
Market In The Loop now just because it's so close to where I live.
Previously (and sometimes I still do) I shopped at Soulard.

But you don't always get better quality at true farmer's markets,
you've got to watch out for what you buy. In grocery stores and
yuppified farmer's markets they have store employees who throw out the
questionable stiff so you don't have to. (Part of the reason it's more
expemsive!)

John Kuthe...

John Kuthe <[email protected]> news:b44d589f-84c8-429a-a500-
[email protected]: in rec.food.cooking

<space saver>

> But you don't always get better quality at true farmer's markets,
> you've got to watch out for what you buy.

Yep. It's like anything else. You have to pay attention to what you're
buying.


> In grocery stores and
> yuppified farmer's markets they have store employees who throw out the
> questionable stiff so you don't have to. (Part of the reason it's more
> expemsive!)

Makes sense to me. I've never been to the one in the Loop. Have you
tried the one in Clayton? What a joke. I think I might have an advantage
though. I grew up in Illinois. Summer produce was plentiful and I
learned at an early age what a decent tomato, ear of corn etc. was. My
mother didn't cook much, but she always enjoyed shopping for fresh fruits
and veggies. There was always a bowl of fresh fruit on the table during
the summer and we always seemed to have big fat tomatoes on hand. One of
the joys of summer, to this day, is sitting down with a big, gnarly
tomato and eating it as is with a sprinkle of salt.

Michael

--
“Always tell the truth - it's the easiest thing to remember”
~ American Playwright David Mamet

You can find me at: - michael at lonergan dot us dot com

Miche wrote:

> "Mr. Nonsense" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this.

> You're going to the wrong farmer's markets.
>
> My local one is as cheap or (usually) cheaper than supermarkets, and
> the produce is much better.

My local farmer's market is pretty cheap, I come home with bags
of stuff for not a lot of money. All local farms, you can see their name
and location at the booths. There are some expensive things like
cheeses. There are also some bakeries from up north that sell
some great bread.

Now they are starting a new farmer's market in my town, by the
train station. It's being done by some 'farmer's market' company.
This doesn't look like it will be cheap or local, there are a lot of
categories like jewelry and furniture ... more like a crafts show.
I'll go, I just don't expect it to be like the other market.

nancy

Shawn Hirn wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Ed Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> "Mr. Nonsense" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]..
>>> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?
>>> I'm sure there must be good reasons for this. But I can think of three
>>> reasons why they should be cheaper:
>>>
>>> 1. They have no expensive advertising and marketing costs
>>>
>>> 2. They have no nationwide distribution costs, most of it is local.
>>>
>>> 3. They have no high overhead that is typical of large corporations.
>>> In other words they are not paying fat salaries/benefits to people to
>>> do monkey work.
>>>
>>> I could see they suffer from one disadvantage, no benefit from
>>> economies of scale. I think the key points listed above should more
>>> than make up for that.
>> Some either do the labor of picking themselves or pay a better wage than the
>> big farms using lots of migrants. They tend to hand pick instead of having
>> a huge machine for harvesting. That makes them more selective of actually
>> ripe produce.
>>
>> They are taking relatively small quantities to the market, not shipping
>> truck loads. They have to set up and tear down every market day. What you
>> perceive as cost savings, I see as a cost increase.
>
> Some farmers markets are really just supermarkets in disguise where
> their produce is not locally grown. In farmers markets where their stuff
> is locally grown, I have found them to be cheaper than supermarkets.

We had one like that here a few years ago. I seriously doubt there were
any farmers there. It was more of a flea market and sellers bought
crates of produce somewhere to sell. I think people realized what it was
about and it isn't here anymore.

> "Mr. Nonsense" wrote:
>
> Why are farmers market always more expensive than the grocery store?

Not "always" but most usually.... because a "farmer's market" is not a "farm
stand".

A farmer's market consists of a conglomoration of *venders* who may be but
are probably not not selling their own home grown. Farmer's markets are
more costly because each vender pays a substantial fee (rent) for the
season, and many are all year operations so farmer's market venders would
usually have a lease and pay rent every month. Many farmer's markets are
indoor affairs but many are also set up on vacant land that only appears to
be an operational farm. Farmer's markets are actually no different than the
typical stupidmarket produce section.

A farm stand is located at the actual farm and is selling produce and food
products produced on premises by the farmer. Farm stands are typically less
expensive and usually sell superior products, albiet only what is in season
on their own farm. Farm stands have no overhead other than to maintain
whatever structure is built at the roadside and is typically family run so
there is usually no payroll or a very small payroll for seasonal employees
that are almost always relatives and close friends.

I live in a true ag community, we have several farm stands but no farmer's
markets in this immediate area. My tenant is a school teacher who works
summers at a farm stand. The farmer has two farms and two farm stands
located some 15 miles apart. Besides produce the farmer also sells a lot of
florals, nursery plants in flats, hanging baskets and as various
arrangements, even custom made. My tenant mostly operates the greenhouses
where the florals are grown and she makes up the baskets and arrangements.
She keeps my property well supplied with attractive flower arrangements and
hardly a day passes that she doesn't leave me a bag of whatever veggies that
were picked fresh that day. Mostly the farmer supplies local markets and
restaurants but also has the two very popular and successful farm stands.
Farm stands are typically where farmer's market venders purchase much of
their wares, along with at the nearby wholesale produce market. Most
farmer's market venders are essentially snow birds, they move to various
parts of the country with the seasons. Farmer's market vender is their
occupation, they are not farmers, they are retailers, they wouldn't know how
to begin growing any produce.

At our Farmer's Market, some the prices are similar to a supermarket,
but a few items cost a lot more, and some cost less. You get a much
better quality of produce at a Farmer's Market, since most of their
produce is organic. It is worth paying whatever I have to pay, because
I am supporting local growers instead of ConAgra.


Here, they sell baked, canned and processed foods, plus fresh eggs and
local plants. A German man makes the best sausage you can buy, and
fresh figs that were just plucked off the tree. They sell home made tea
cakes that are the size of a bread plate, tea cakes have been popular in
the South for many years. I just love the Farmer's Market. :-P


Becca