Know your farmer.
People who love farmers markets who end up in a conversation with someone who doesn't like farmers markets often come up with some variation of "know your farmer."
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Stories such as the CBC Marketplace investigation into some farmers at Ontario farmers markets being less than trustworthy about the source of their produce can make people more skeptical about farmers markets.
Veteran patrons of farmers markets can point to a few reasons why these farmers should not have been trusted. Some of the food in the story had stickers on them. In one instance, the pepper claimed as local in Canada actually came from Mexico. Other produce had boxes that indicated the produce came from somewhere else.
Perhaps these same veteran patrons pay close attention and the average person might not know what to expect at farmers markets. So let's give some tips so even people off the street can tell which food is really local. Even if a farmer doesn't do some of these tips, that farmer can still be local, but use this as a general guide.
- If the produce has stickers on them at a farmers market, just walk away. If you see where stickers might have been on a food, just walk away.
- If you see discarded wholesale packaging, walk away. Local produce growers don't have wholesale packaging.
- Know what is in season. I know when blueberry season comes where I live. I know strawberries come before blueberries. Also, look at other stands: they pretty much should have the same fruit at all the stands. Certain produce can be grown in a greenhouse but berries aren't usually in that group.
- Local means local. I've seen people ask for citrus and olive oil in a Midwestern farmers market. Those foods are great but not local in that setting. A grocery store can handle those needs.
- Cheaper in a grocery store is a target goal, Cheaper at a farmers market often means the produce isn't local. Surprising, as food travels a longer distance, that food can be cheaper but not as fresh. A 50¢ difference per pint is not a concern. But a huge difference, however tempting, is not worth the cost.
- If the produce looks too good, that could be a sign. Real local fruit and vegetables can be imperfect. Heirloom tomatoes comes from local farms. Different varieties of fruit come from local farms. Some farmers, if you are nice and know you, will sell "seconds," often fruit that has blemishes or imperfections. That fruit can cost less and still taste wonderful in a pie.
- Offer to visit the farmer. A couple of the real farmers in the story mentioned this.
- Talk to your farmer. Engage them in conversation. Ask questions. A real aboveboard farmer wants to tell the story of the food. Veteran patrons really do know their farmer and can spot BS above and beyond a single conversation.
The CBC Marketplace story points out that in California, "each stand is inspected and vendors are required to display a certificate that outlines the produce they grow."
"In Canada it falls to the provinces to decide whether to regulate the industry … Ontario has no regulations that penalize resellers for lying about growing the produce they sell at farmers markets."
Check to see what the standards are where you live. For example, Chicago and Illinois have standards, but Green City Market is extra diligent. Farmers can't sell anything that isn't local. Here is Green City Market's certification link.
Ultimately, the best way to tell is taste. The farmers market food may be more expensive but the food is supposed to taste so good that the extra money is worth the cost to get great tasting produce.
As diligent as one can be, sometimes you run into a bad vendor or a bad item from a good vendor. The farmers markets offer a variety of options to best suit your taste. Over time, you end up with your favorites.
The farmers market is made for relationships. Trying a farmers market once won't produce the same value as a farmers market over extended time. "Know your farmer" does take time but a good farmer-customer relationship yields a bountiful harvest.
To see the segment, click here to get to the CBC Marketplace Web site.
photos credit: CBC Marketplace
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