Anonymous wrote:Serious question - how can you tell when the farmer grew the produce themself vs reselling something they bought from elsewhere?

Look at the fingernails of the person ringing you up.

I live in Vienna and the farmer’s market is meh. I go for the crepes at the crepe stand. And very random good produce once in a while.9

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.

Pretentious.

Yep, agree. It's a pretentious activity.

The markets are a complete rip off for produce and fruit. There are occasionally some other vendors selling stuff that is good but never anything so amazing I want to go every week.

Double jogging strollers and dogs at the one near me. Awful.

It’s a scene for DC area people who are into scenes for being seen at the scene sake. Food pros avoid most of them around here although there are some suppliers who have consistently decent stuff.

All the farmers markets here in LA are overpriced and I can get better produce at the cheap Armenians grocery stores in the valley. I’m one of the poors, so I know where to find cheap food. HOWEVER I love their fresh hummus, baked goods, and bread. They’re all expensive but I love them so I continue to go. I don’t buy their produce, just the hummus and baked goods.

Went to one today, $6 for a tiny container of blueberries or nectarines.

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.

Gentrification ruined farmers markets. They used to be cheaper and better than the grocery store. Now they are basic trendy fads for rich people.

Also grocery stores started buying from local farmers and selling it in store for good prices.

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.

Ugh, Lots of people and dogs is one of the reasons why I hate farmers markets.
I made a trip this year because I’m a sucker for in season local strawberries and could not believe the prices on most items. Don’t even get me started on the lack of spatial awareness most people were displaying. I was bumped into aggressively multiple times by older women who needed to be exactly where I was at that very moment. Or maybe I have an invisibility cloak I don’t know about.

I grew up in California going to farmers markets with my WW2 generation grandpa and those were great. Boxes in the back of pick up trucks with great deals on produce directly from farmers.
Here in DC it’s a showcase of wealth and entitlement. Your stroller and your dog and your $60 worth of produce that will last a day if you’re trying to feed a family.
I’ve also been on food stamps and tried to participate in the programs some markets have where they’ll match you dollar for dollar. It still doesn’t make the prices competitive with places like Aldi and Lidl. It’s completely performative and I think is more for the people who aren’t using the service to feel better about themselves and pretend that it’s not as exclusive as it really is.

The berries I got today at the farmers market were much better than what I have gotten from stores.

I went to one last week and since they didn't give me a receipt I didn't know I paid $4 for ONE tomato until I did my banking on the weekend.

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.

That’s awesome. I wish they would ban dogs from the two by my house. I’ve seen dogs stick their noses in produce and the baked goods just to have their owners meekly respond or pretend not to notice. So gross.

Some stupid little dog is always triggering a bigger dog and then the two are barking while their owners struggle to hold them back and balance their coffee and the stroller they also have. It’s idiotic. 90% of dogs aren’t trained to be able to handle themselves at places like crowded farmers markets.

I agree. There is no organic selection at my local market so it limits what I am willing to buy. I do get some good local meats, eggs, and occasionally cheese. But overall it is not worth it for me unless I feel like taking a walk.

Another alternative is a farm stand/shop. I just got back from. Spicknell’s in Beltsville. Everything that is either homegrown on their farm or locally grown in the area is labeled as such. I bought corn, cherries, blueberries, cherry tomatoes, peaches, and a melon for $40. All locally grown.

I go to the farmers market for sweet corn, tomatoes, and peaches. Every once in a while I’ll also grab a loaf of bread or some fresh donuts. That’s about it.