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Farmers Market Economy
As the weather gets warmer and the rain (hopefully) lets up, Oregonians are doing more food shopping outdoors at their local farmers' markets. But how local is the food? Many farmers sell their own crops along with those grown by others. This practice is condoned by some markets, with some guidelines about clear labeling. The rules vary, but many markets require that a certain percentage of a vendor's wares be fruits and vegetables they grew themselves. Some go so far as to say that everything a seller brings must be homegrown. One farmer we spoke with said he's disappointed that many of his fellow merchants don't follow the rules when it comes to selling food they haven't grown. He's gone so far as to stop selling wholesale altogether in order to keep from competing with his own harvest at the market.
Another concern to many vendors is the Food Safety Modernization Act, which is working its way through Congress. (We talked about this last December, when there were still many specifics to be worked out.)
Small farmers are worried that new regulations will be too onerous for small operations, and may significantly reduce their profits. Others argue that small farmers' crops are just as susceptible to disease as those grown by large producers, and should be regulated in the same way.
Do you shop at farmers markets? What questions do you ask producers about the food they're selling?
GUESTS:
- Scott Frost: Owner of Nature's Fountain Farm
- Michael McMillan: Sourcing manager for Organically Grown Company
- Larry Thompson: Owner of Thompson Farms
- Marti Fate: Manager of the Grants Pass Growers Market and founding member of the Oregon Farmers Market Association
Tagged as: farmer's market · farming · food · health
Photo credit: jcbonbon / Creative Commons
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This comment has been removed by the TOL staff.
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I've worked at the Lake Oswego farmer's market a few times, and one of the other people I worked with was a blabber-mouth. She has worked for this particular grower for a few years, and she told me that the grower she worked for at the L.O. farmer's market often purchased produce and then either re-packaged or simply removed the packaging so they could sell it as their own. They supposedly did this to make sure their spot always was full of produce and that they would always have what people were looking for, even if their crop failed, was under producing, or had run out.
It was apparently a well-known and frequently done practice, and is not monitored or enforced. The grower I mentioned above has spots not only in Lake Oswego, but all over the PDX area markets. I think this practice is stinky and unfair to dedicated, return customers, but I don't see how it isn't going to happen everywhere.
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Lost my last comments---
OPB, please do an investigative report on this subject, I have long wanted to let the public know what really happens at Farmers' Markets in Oregon. The public is being taken for a ride for the most part as there are no Market regulations from the State. Farmers can and do sell what they want from where ever they purchased the produce and feel no obligation to tell the public. The public is being scammed.
There are a few farmers that are ethical and sell only what they grow but for the most part they are only looking out for themselves.
- There are honey farmers that purchase honey from out of the country and sell as if it came from their own hives.
- Oregon farmers who have farms in Mexico and sell at the market as if it were Oregon grown.
- "Organic" farmers who are not organic.
- Nursery sellers that purchase their plants from wholesalers then resell at the market for triple the price pretending that they grew the plants from start.
- People who sell eggs but do not have enough chickens to produce all the eggs that they sell.
- Peach farmers who buy from a farm up in Washington because they had a small crop that year.
The list goes on and on....
Eat local, buy local, be sustainable? The public loves the idea of supporting local business, and the farmers love that they do. Do farmers share the same belief? No. Carbon Footprint? No. The farmers do not want anything to do with restricting their ability to sell their produce no matter how far they have to drive.
The ODA regulates the process of products but only regulates what the farmers do at the market on a limited basis. California regulates the markets and it is important that Oregon do the same to ensure the public safety and truth in selling of locally grown produce.
These are critical comments but it comes from someone who was very entrenched in the market and tried to make a difference for the market, public safety and for ethical business practices. I was unable to accomplish much, but if the public becomes more aware perhaps some regulation will take place and farmers will be made to be more truthful with their practices.
Buyer beware, watch your wallet and start asking your farmer the questions you want answers to. If the answers don't ring true move on to the next farmer.
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I am a farmers' wife and I don't know any Oregon farmers who own farms in Mexico. I don't know anyone who sells at a Portland-area farmers' market who ships in produce from his/her farm in Mexico. Please elaborate on that statement.
I always thought that only "Oregon Tilth certified" means truly organic practices.
Yes, going up to Maryhill and purchasing peaches and reselling at Portland markets is not uncommon.
You state that "California regulates the markets". I have read articles complaining about the reselling problem in California.
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As someone who has worked at several farmers' market for more than 20 years, I have seen some market vendors purchase and bring in fruit/produce/plants from other farmers and wholesalers and selling it as their own. Our family farm takes pride in only selling the items that we grow and harvest. That is the true reason for the existence of a farmers' market. - bringing the customer the best locally grown product when it's in season for our area. I believe these resellers (or peddlers) are ripping off the consumers who think they are getting something fresh and direct from the person who grew the product. (However, I know from experience that there are many market shoppers who don't really care about that - they are just looking for the lowest price possible.)
I also believe that market managers (and farmers' market boards of directors) are also to blame for looking the other way. Many times they refuse to investigate when they are told that certain vendors do not grow crops that they are selling at the markets. Managers are more interested in filling up every booth space on market day (and collecting the fee) instead of keeping their vendors honest.
Some markets have a policy of allowing the vendor to supplement with product from another farmer. For example, 70 percent must be grown by the vendor and 30 percent can be from his/her neighbor (not the produce wholesaler), clearly labeled as to its origin. A policy of 100 percent grown by the vendor and spot checking of vendors' farms would eliminate much of this buying.
For growers who are too small to rent an entire booth, perhaps, a consignment booth operated by the market could be an option.
Vendors who buy their product on Friday and then truck it to the market on Saturday have no investment in their product. By that I mean, they can work at a job other than farming all week, buy something that might have been sitting in the wholesaler's cooler for a week or two on Friday, repackage it, and then sell it on Saturday. They did not order seed, toil in the field, deal with the weather, pay wages to employees, etc. So, come market day, these people will undercut the prices of legitimate farmers, pocket as much as they can, go home and repeat the cycle the following week.
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As someone who has been visiting markets on a regular basis for over 20 years - almost every Saturday - I believe it to be a mistake to discuss this issue without the input of managers of the major markets.
Perhaps the best market management to receive input is the management of the Beaverton Farmers Market. This particular market is one of the forerunners.
This market management pioneered the pursuit of a Farmers Market Management Software by a significant software developer. This software assists greatly in the management of Farmers Markets.
Think Out Loud needs to talk to responsible members of the Farmers Market vocation/ avocation - see belowcontacts for Beavertons Market
MARKET MASTER
GINGER RAPPORT 503-244-3927 (Direct Mkt & Fax)
643-5345 (Mkt. Voice il only)
market@beavertonfarmersmarket.com
BEAVERTON FARMERS MARKET BOARD CHAIRMAN
*2012 von BERGEN, PAUL K
503-641-5771 (w)
i am an very opinionated cornerstone member that doesn't want to see or hear the baby thrown out with the bath water.
Yes there are issues to be address - they are being addressed.
The major markets are addressing - reducing - or correcting the issues and leading the other markets in the solutions
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Thanks for the suggestions, JIMESSAM. As you can see from the guest list I just posted, we do have a market manager from one of the most established markets in southern Oregon. Of course, others are always welcome to call in.
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Did you bug our house? My husband and I have been discussing this issue at length for the last month. We are full time farmers and have run into this issue head on this season at our farmers market. Farmers that sell product that they didn't grow whether it be vegetables, fruit, meat, or anything else should have to clearly label all product that they did not grow themselves. The profit margin is slim on most of our product, because our production costs are huge. The small family farm that most market shoppers want to support is a completely different ball of wax from someone who buys food wholesale and then resells it. The prices we charge are very fair for what it costs us to get that product to market. The vendors that sell product they didn't grow have an incredible advantage because they don't take on any of the costs of production. I think a good way to help solve this problem is not to put all the burden on market staff, as they are all working very hard to keep the market running and don't have the ability to do site visits at every farm, but for customers to ask more questions of the vendors.
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Thank you! I am the market manager at the Hood River Sat Market and though I do my best to monitor our market quality and speak with vendors - I appreciate others who can keep an eye out and give me a "heads-up" on anything that might not be locally grown/produced -
*We do have an originally application / screening process at the beginning of our season but occasionally vendors will show up with something unexpected and must be regulated that day.
I appreciate the community collaboration to make this great local market an enjoyable experience/event!
Shop local & sustainable!
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My wife and I sell only what we raise at our farmers market booth and the faux farmer problem worries me for three reasons.
First, the "peddlers" do not have the blood, sweat, tears, years, and significant sums of money invested in their farms and products that those of us who actually run a farm do. They gain an economic advantage by buying from some giant producer who can't be bothered with coming to the market. Then they gain a time advantage by not having to do the low wage work of running a farm. All of this allows them to undercut our prices pressuring us to follow to compete. Ironically, this happens at the farmers market, an institution founded on the idea that small farmers need a place to sell their products at a fair price.
Second, many if not most farmers market shoppers expect to buy product from farmers because they want to support "their" farmer, promote the local economy, protect local farmland, etc. When they deal with the "peddlers" they are being cheated of the public good they think they are purchasing.
Third, faux farmers corrode the integrity of the farmers market, an institution I dearly love. That integrity is the foundation on which the whole direct marketing model is built and we must protect it for the long term economic health of both the markets and the farmers.
The media attention and blog activity on this issue indicates that people are becoming aware of it and that they care. The sustainable agriculture movement, of which farmers markets are an indispensible part, is still an island of civility and progress in a sea of profit-uber-alles retailers and me-first consumerism. Those of us involved need to act to preserve the progress that we and those who came before us have made. Market managers and boards can re-evaluate policies and enforcement mechanisms. Farmers can stand up and demand change. Shoppers have the biggest lever and can make change happen the fastest - they can find the real farmers and do business with them.
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At the downtown Hood River Saturday Market for 2010, our 20th season, we have had a great mix of produce, crafts, food and more -
Our vendors and staff take pride in the quality of their produce and products and I have no doubt that the local shoppers can enjoy homegrown, high-quality, fresh foods.
To encourage new and continuing farmers, we need to make sure anything put into place is both affordable and practical.
Glad to hear the discussion on OPB because we all know that the main point of all of us this is - supporting local and sustainable products! *With such a bounty of available produce & hand-crafted goods in the Pacific NW, there is no doubt we should all be working together for the greater good/goal!
Stop by the Hood River Sat Market -every Saturday-9am-3pm at 5th/Cascade -
Browse the mix of our fresh produce, pottery, jewelry, food, cookies, coffee and more! *Live Music Weekly*
*The Hood River Sat Market is a proud staple of the downtown community and is celebrating it's 20th season!!*
http://www.hrsaturdaymarket.com
*Allison Ehle
Hood River Sat. Market Manager
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I shop at the farmer's market all the time but I get to know the sellers and am selective about who I buy from. I NEVER buy from the stands set up just outside the market itself, who have not gone through the market's vetting process.
I am in favor of tracking produce because problems can occur anywhere for any reason. But I think the costs should be pro-rated according to the income of the farm. If the proposed cost os $500 then a small family farm should pay $50 and the multi-million $ concern should pay $5000. Or let's say 0.5% of gross income.
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I love it when these "organic" people start bashing "industrial agribusiness". Because of the success of the large corporate farm this country can feed more people for less money, on less land and with less waste than ever before in the history of mankind. I full support the individual’s right to seek out food grown locally or organically or whatever but don’t forget that it is only because of the availability of cheap, safe, abundant food that you have the ability to seek out these alternatives. If we went back to everyone growing their own food the lifestyle that so many of you take for granted would disappear.
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A valid point, but unfortunately, the 'cheap, safe, abundant food' has enormous environmental and health costs that are not paid by the consumer, and take their toll on all of our well-being. These costs are catching up with all of us, and changing the system that allows this is the only way to solve these problems on the large scale where they are occurring.
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You do realize that the industrial giants only need to tend their farms once for each of the needed practices of fertilizing, pest control, etc., whereas organic farmers need to apply several applications with their methods. Don't forget the spewing of emissions from their tractors because of the many times needed than the Ag. Giants too.
Residue testing has been done ONLY with the Ag. Giants and not yet with organic farmers.
There is still so much left to do and study on both sides. The truely safest way to get your own produce is to raise it yourself - After you get your land tested !!
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This is off topic but it is something that worries me because it so resembles what was encouraged in Germany in the 1930s. I think it is the inevitable result of our 30 some years of descent into Conservatism; Conservative kids in La Quinta, California somehow came up with this:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/nationalbreaking/ci_15227892
"Southern California high school ends 'Beat the Jew' game"
"LA QUINTA — Seven seniors at a Southern California high school were facing disciplinary action for participating in a game called "Beat the Jew" in which losers were subjected to "incineration" or "enslavement," a school administrator said today."
"The game involved some students playing the role of Nazis who blindfolded and dropped off other students playing Jews who must find their way back to the campus, said Sherry Johnstone, assistant superintendent of personnel for Desert Sands Unified School District. ..." -
Oh if only a or two week could go by without a 'green' topic. An entire show about whether the vendors at farmers markets are actually farmers?!. This really is a religion, and the conspiracy theories continue to abound. How about a show on whether the shops at the Woodburn outlet mall are actually selling merchandise that was ever in a real store, and whether the merchandise is manufactured specifically for the outlet stores. Last time I checked they had baked goods at many farmers' markets, perhaps we could do away with those vendors?
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Stuff White People Like: Farmer's Markets
I once took a low-income client with me to a Farmer's Market in Portland, and she was completely out of her comfort zone with all the rich white people willing to pay $5 for a small bag of peas.
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And? So?
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And so, Scottmil, I'm thinking a lot of low-income people like myself, think the farmers market phenomenon is just elitist friviolity that is totally irrelevant to their lives--just more self-righteous entertainment for the rich. Low income people fully realize that it is NOT about the entire "community." Backyard growers of any economic level realize that as well, because the upfront and weekly fees to set up at the market are more than their smaller amounts of produce are worth. I would rather give mine away to neighbors and friends.
I might add that the farmers markets appear to be designed to benefit the local landed aristocracy who are not big enough to compete with larger enterprises or are just carving out another status supported marketing niche.
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refugee,
Yes, and? So rich people must be bad, and poor people are good? As if, there wasn't a lot of self-righteous entertainment for the poor! And, Wal-mart, is that a superior concept? Poor people are just poor! They also, aren't morally superior. Combating the alleged self-righteousness of the rich, with the self-righteousness of the poor doesn't amount to much---actually, it doesn't amount to anything. I don't feel one way or another about farmer's markets---they are, what they are. They are just a place of commerce, with no inherent good or bad. The bad begins, when people start advocating their moral value.
Seems off-kilter that low-income people have so much time to philosophize on the elitism of the farmer's market. What is relevant to poor people's lives? I suppose it would be good to focus on that, but I suspect that category is broad. It is amazing that the intellect of our culture is so barren that we repeatedly applaud the alleged underdogs, only because of their perceived underdoggedness. The starving artist is only lauded while they starve, but become successful, and then, well, you loose your credibility. The small business is saintly, but don't get big?! Guess what---you can do it all well!, rich and poor, small and big, struggling and thriving.
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Exactly, the word "Organic" seems to mean they can charge more.
One can always wash off veggies from the local stores and obtain more for their money.
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Low income clients are eligible for WIC and senior coupons through the department of health & human services to be used specifically for fresh, unprocessed fruit/produce at farm stands and farmers' markets.
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I also don't care if they are selling their neighbor's produce with their own, or insted of their own, as long as it is clearly marked so I can decide on that basis and ask questions. I probably do care about wholesale resellers, but as long as it is clearly marked, again, I can decide for myself what to buy.
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I was at the Tigard Farmer's market a few years ago and ended up buying "resale" produce because the prices were attractive. I didn't realize until after the fact that this was the case and when I did realize it, I was upset. If I want resale produce, I'll go to a store. We should keep farmer's markets for farmers to sell direct.
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Hood River Saturday Market - Vendor Guidelines :
Items must be handmade, grown,or gathered by the market member,a member of their immediate family or a partner in craft.
- The member contribution to a finished product must outweigh the contribution of any commercial components used in the making of that product.Skills in craftsmanship, as well as creative abilities, ingenuity and design skills are examples of member contribution. (more info.)
*My goal for the market is to grow & incorporate the community and showcase our talented vendors from throughout the Columbia Gorge. We try our best to monitor the quality & standards we hold for handmade/homegrown products.
*As a market manager, I do my best to talk with vendors about their growing processes, etc. I do the same with my jewelry vendors, etc. to monitor quality of their handmade good as well.
*Allison - Hood River Saturday Market Manager
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S. 510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, is not so much about food safety standards (we already have good regulations and guidelines on how food should be handled and grown); rather, this bill is actually about traceability and accountability.
Industrial agricultural companies mix together produce from innumerable sources for national distribution. This is where all of the recent large contamination incidents have originated and why a food safety bill is needed. The industrial food chain needs traceability and accountability.
Meanwhile, small farmers who sell directly to consumers - at farmers market or farm stands - are accountable to their customers (not to mention the Oregon Dept of Ag and local sanitarians). The system is imminently traceable, since there is a direct path from farm to market to customer. To add a federal regulation system - on top of the local and state regulations all small producers are already subject to - would be redundant and onerous, and it could well drive many farmers out of business.
That's why we need to support the passage of an amended S. 510 to ensure that consumers can continue to choose to buy the safest and healthiest food possible. http://www.change.org/oregonrural/petitions/view/keep_small_farms_safe_in_the_food_safety_bill
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The caller from Bend sounded more like a CSA - Community Supported Agriculture broker. My family & I did these last year and really enjoyed it through Denison Farms in Corvallis. This year we now have our own garden growing, along with supporting the Salem Saturday Market.
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A counter point to Larry's economic argument for selling someone else's peaches: Doing so may help Larry's business but it dilutes the market for a different or new farmer who is growing his own peaches and wants to sell them at farmers market.
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Maybe. But it might actually benefit both farmers by providing a new/extra marketplace to the peach grower. Many markets are full and don't have space for new vendors but would still like to increase product diversity.
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Runoff from factory farms causes e coli breakouts. Small scale family farms produce much safer food.
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Really?
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A farmer's market is not solely for the farmer, it is a community entity. My concern isn't so much with where my food comes from, as much as "will this purchase directly benefit my community?" Wholesale or not, the food farmer Bob sells at my local farmer market will benefit Bob, and Bob is an important part of my community.
-Aaron
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OK, but now imagine Farmer Dave, who is also a member of your community, and is in the booth next to Bob and is selling the same product as Bob. The difference is that Dave made the investments in time and money to actually grow the produce and Bob did not. In fact, Farmer Dave buys his seeds, compost, packaging, diesel fuel, labor, equipment, and everything else from other members of your community. Dave is committed to the community.
Meanwhile, Bob buys his stuff from a wholesaler who buys it from a giant farm some where else with overhead costs lower than Dave can imagine. Or maybe Bob buys it direct from the giant farm himself. Or maybe the farm is small. Either way, Bob is buying it instead of growing it because it is financially advantageous for him to do so. This financial advantage that wholesaling provides is one of the main problems for small farmers that farmers markets were designed to fix.
Stick with Farmer Dave, the guy who is invested in your community. If Farmer Bob sells some other product that he grew himself and you like it, by all means buy it.
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We recently stopped buying eggs from a local producer because we suspected that most of the eggs he was delivering were not his own. I'm not opposed to that per se -- it could be a good way for very small producers to get paid for their food -- but I need disclosure of who the food producer is and what the economic agreement is between them to support it. That's part of the whole point -- I pay a premium and know who's growing my food and the practices they use. And who my money is supporting.
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Did you ask the producer if he/she is also selling others' eggs? If you bought at a farmers market talk to the manager. This is an issue we all are trying to keep track of. If the producer is in fact selling someone else's eggs, he/she needs an egg handler's license. The producer would be out of compliance with market rules (at least my markets' rules) and possibly subject to removal from the market.
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Is there a list of farmer grown / no wholesale markets in the PDX area?
Thanks!
Amy
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Do you mean farmers markets? If so then go to oregonfarmersmarkets.org for a statewide list. There is also a list of Portland area markets (with a map) at http://www.goodstuffnw.com/p/oregon-farmers-markets-schedule.html
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I am a customer. As some farmers don't like talking to customers, I don't want to talk with them. I would rather buy good food without asking the seller a bunch of questions about their growing systems. I rely on the signs they post. Advertising 'organic', 'local' gives me the ability to buy quickly and move on. I like good,organic food but I do not spend a lot of time thinking about it.
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The farmers who put signs like "organic" and "local" on their food but don't want to talk with you are exactly the ones you should be suspicious of. Find a few farmers who value your business enough to answer your questions respectfully. If their answers ring true and satisfy your criteria then keep going back. One tip on talking to farmers - avoid super busy times like during set up and the first hour or two of the market. You might first ask when they will have a few minutes to answer some questions.
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Please realize that there are farmers' markets all over the State of Oregon and no one should assume that all comments made here are in reference to Portland area markets. We all love and listen to OPB!
The idea that we are buying from local (within the state) farms or processors whether large or small is the issue. Someone transporting in product from out of state and/or out of the country is defeating the purpose of supporting local. If I purchase honey, radishes, vinegar, or eggs I have the expectation that these items were raised, grown or produced in my community/state. If they weren't then they should be labeled properly so that the consumer has the choice.
Oregon Farmers' Markets do not have any regulatory agency so yes, unethical people can and do sell things they don't grow or process. Of course you willl always have people flying under the radar but it should be important to the farmers and processors to enforce the rules.
Regulation does not mean perfection but it does determine a degree of accountability which Oregon doesn't have.
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Comments are now closed.
I used to buy occasionally at these supposed farmer's market (not in Oregon) and when I asked if the produce was grown by the sellers. More than once I have had these sellers admit they bought their veggies at a wholesale outlet. So, 'buyer beware'.