OP here.

Looking back across the last few years, the one area where markets do win over Whole Foods are apples in the fall. There is no comparison. And when tomatoes are at their peak, tomatoes at the markets will beat Whole Foods tomatoes both in price and quality.

But for everything else I've just come to the conclusion you're paying a premium to feel better shopping at the market instead of Whole Foods.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love farmer's markets. Yes it's expensive but it's more the experience. Lots of people, dogs, children, cool new foods and music. I did used to overspend but I now check myself but I love meeting friends and family at the weekend farmer's markets mornings before it gets too hot.

Dogs are not allowed at the Olney farmers market.

They are at the Bethesda and Kensington ones.

Because they ignore the law

I’ve seen “farmers markets” where they take stuff from the grocery store with the stamp from another country and resell at double the price. Who knows if it’s any better unless you’re very familiar with the goods and individual vendors.

What time do the open in your city?

Anonymous wrote:Not true.

Peaches are infinitely better, at least from Eastern Market.

Eastern Market has stands that are just reselling food they bought at wholesale. You have to make sure you’re buying from an actual farmer there.

It’s also a terrible deal for farmers to sell a small amount usually hours from their farm.

It’s a huge waste of a day. Wasteful time, money, gas.

I agree with you to a degree. Whole foods tends to have very good produce. At farmer’ markets, some of the stands are definitely produce resellers. Best advice is to know what is in season and only buy those things. Or go to a farm market that buys directly from a local produce auction (common in areas with a lot of amish farmers) https://svproduceauction.com/about-us/

Not true.

Peaches are infinitely better, at least from Eastern Market.

Agree in this area, OP. They are ridiculously expensive. I grew up in the Midwest and the farmer’s markets had cheaper produce than stores there.

Yes, in this area they are way over-rated. I come from California where some of the first markets were held - there’s no comparison to the giant piles of farm-fresh tomatoes and berries. Here it’s overpriced produce that is the same quality as Whole Foods. Many just appear to be bought wholesale and not grown locally anyway. Even the few items that are reliably good and fresh in the summer (tomatoes, cukes, corn, peaches) are more expensive and the same quality as stores.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love farmer's markets. Yes it's expensive but it's more the experience. Lots of people, dogs, children, cool new foods and music. I did used to overspend but I now check myself but I love meeting friends and family at the weekend farmer's markets mornings before it gets too hot.

Dogs are not allowed at the Olney farmers market.

They are at the Bethesda and Kensington ones.

Anonymous wrote:I love farmer's markets. Yes it's expensive but it's more the experience. Lots of people, dogs, children, cool new foods and music. I did used to overspend but I now check myself but I love meeting friends and family at the weekend farmer's markets mornings before it gets too hot.

Dogs are not allowed at the Olney farmers market.

Anonymous wrote:There. Said it. More expensive than Whole Foods and rarely better. Some exceptions, especially when apples are in season. But I'm just back from a prominent farmer's market in my city and spent a small fortune and I know it won't be better tasting than what I can get at Whole Foods this afternoon. No more.

how can you generalize? There are many amazing farmers markets and sometimes its beyond the actual item but knowing you are really helping support a genuine grower/farmer.

I love farmer's markets. Yes it's expensive but it's more the experience. Lots of people, dogs, children, cool new foods and music. I did used to overspend but I now check myself but I love meeting friends and family at the weekend farmer's markets mornings before it gets too hot.

There. Said it. More expensive than Whole Foods and rarely better. Some exceptions, especially when apples are in season. But I'm just back from a prominent farmer's market in my city and spent a small fortune and I know it won't be better tasting than what I can get at Whole Foods this afternoon. No more.