The Farmers Market Debate – Is the Produce Grown Locally?
July 1, 2010
•Le Cordon Bleu
•Scottsdale
• 0 Comments
Most fresh produce lovers can point you in the direction of the nearest farmers market faster than you can say “bring on the veggies,” yet over the years all it took was a few bad apples to shed some negative light on what is meant to be a win-win situation for famers and customers alike. The debate has basically come down to the regulation standards of each market. While some markets are very strict about only allowing local vendors, others do not regulate their markets as closely and end up with wholesale farmers allowed in to what is said to be a “local” event only.
According to the Farmers Market Coalition, the information source and hub of the farmers market world, in 1994 there were approximately 1,755 farmers markets in the United States. The most recent count, in 2009, found that there were more than 5,270, a testament to the fact that debated or not, the boom continues.
Here are the facts and concerns regarding the farmer’s market debate. If you want to know for sure you are buying fresh locally grown produce there are certain steps you can take to get to the bottom of it.
How to Tell if the Produce and Goods at a Farmers Market are LocalSince the many news stories and media coverage of the not-so-local farmers market vendors, most managers and organizers take further steps to verify that the goods are coming from local providers. Just by looking at the produce, it is nearly impossible to spot a difference. Many sellers do offer information about their location and farms up front or readily when asked. This not only gives some assurance for you, the customer, but is also some great advertising for them as well. Many local farmers take pride in the fact that they are local and will present that information up front. If you do not see any sign of this and the information is not shared willingly, your suspicions that the produce is not local or from an independent farm may be correct. You can also check ahead of time with the organizer to see how strictly they regulate their vendors. According to the most recent statistics available from a 2006 USDA survey, more than half of all vendors at markets travel 10 miles or less to the location and most travel no more than 50 miles.
The Benefits for you the ConsumerFresh food not only tastes great but also holds in the optimal amount of natural nutrients. Because the produce is local, or should be, the farmers are able to pick their items that day since they are not being shipped or stored for any length of time. Research has shown that each day after the harvest, produce begins to lose these nutrients. With farmers markets, you get the best fresh and ready to eat seasonal produce available. By comparison, the average grocery store carries produce that is shipped nearly 2,000 miles and may sit for days before you come to buy it.
The Benefits for the FarmerWith so many large “factory farms” taking over, small mom and pop farms would not stand a chance without farmers markets. Even those smaller farmers who sell to larger wholesale companies do not come away with as much cash in their hands as those who sell at the market. Studies have shown that local farmers selling their goods at the market make nearly 20 cents more per product when the sell without a middle man. While some people criticize having to pay a slightly higher price, the overall nutritional value and the fact that you are supporting local businesses keep thousands coming back time and again. Many of the items are also organic, which means no chemicals used in the growing process and therefore no leaching of harmful pesticides into the environment or the drinking water and habitats of natural animal species or farm animals.
Now that you have a little background information, here are 4 tips for first time visitors who would like to experience the farmers market for themselves.
- Go Early – Check the time that the market is scheduled to start. This may sound basic, but since farmers only have available what they have packed with them, it is important to get there early in order to get the best items. However, if you are more of a wheeling and dealing, love a good bargain kind of shopper (and there is no shame in that), you may want to head over right before close since it is more likely to get the leftover items at a less expensive price.
- Bring Cash – Some of the farmers who are frequent vendors at some of the larger markets will accept credit cards, however, it is best to err on the side of caution since many accept cash only.
- BYOB – Okay, so it’s not quite what you are thinking – in this case we’re talking bring your own bags. Having a reusable grocery bag, or several, is one really easy way to cut back on the waste created by disposing plastic bags. Many farmers will have a limited amount available.
- Buy in Bulk – Even though everything is usually ripe and ready to eat, freezing your fresh produce will still lock in most of the traditional value and will save well for use at another time.
Now you have heard the debate, the facts and even learned some farmer’s market tips – if you feel like experience it for yourself, why not check it out.
Scottsdale Farmers MarketIf you are in beautiful sunny Scottsdale anytime November through May, check out the local vendors at the Old Town Farmers Market at the corner of Brown and 1st Street. Every Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. you can enjoy fresh produce and family fun.
This article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale offers culinary arts, pâtisserie and baking, and hospitality and restaurant management training programs in Scottsdale, Arizona. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit
Chefs.edu/Scottsdale for more information.