[frayedends]

I recently watched a documentary on some farmers market (not Villages) where vendors were caught just reselling subpar produce bought from supermarkets. I’m part time so it’s been a while but I don’t recall any of the produce stands showing the farm name (except Villages Grown). I also thought it odd they had out of season vegetables. But maybe there is no out of season in Florida? I just know up here in MA the farmers advertise their farm and growing practices (organic etc). Do you trust the vendors at the squares?

[retiredguy123]

Do I trust the vendors at the squares? Absolutely not. Fraud at farmers markets is rampant everywhere. This is because the markup on wholesale produce is huge.

[frayedends]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Do I trust the vendors at the squares? Absolutely not. Fraud at farmers markets is rampant everywhere. This is because the markup on wholesale produce is huge.

I realized they are charging organic prices but was suspicious of the quality.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I recently watched a documentary on some farmers market (not Villages) where vendors were caught just reselling subpar produce bought from supermarkets. I’m part time so it’s been a while but I don’t recall any of the produce stands showing the farm name (except Villages Grown). I also thought it odd they had out of season vegetables. But maybe there is no out of season in Florida? I just know up here in MA the farmers advertise their farm and growing practices (organic etc). Do you trust the vendors at the squares?

I trust that a tomato for 1.99 cents a pound in a farmer's market, that looks exactly like the same type of tomato for $4.99/lb in Publix, will probably taste just as good, no matter who grew it.

I also trust that the organic farm that sometimes shows up with wild field greens, is the only one who sells them in the area, so if I'm in the mood for them, I'll pay whatever they charge.

You can look up growing seasons on the internet and find out what is "in season" for the area, at any given moment. Strawberry season in Florida has started, and peak season is in February and March. Chances are, if you see "Plant City" strawberries for sale in the last half of February, it's not only local, but it's also the best strawberries you'll ever have, at any price.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I realized they are charging organic prices but was suspicious of the quality.

True story. I knew a guy in Fairfax, Virginia who hung out at the pool hall every day except Saturday. He was a gambler and a pool hustler. He had a beard and drove an old pickup truck, and he looked like a farmer. He told me that, on Saturday, he would go to the wholesale produce market, buy produce, and sell it at a farmers market. He said that he could sell apples and tomatoes for 10 times what he paid for them.

[frayedends]

The prices I’ve seen at the farmers market haven’t been $1.99/lb but more like 2.50 per tomato. Though Publix is outrageous also. I guess I can compare prices better.

But as retiredguy says, they are just buying at wholesale markets and reselling. One thing I noticed is the produce doesn’t always look great. Sort gives the illusion of organic but probably just rejects that Publix declined.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I realized they are charging organic prices but was suspicious of the quality.

Ask them, then gage their response. Some may lie, others the truth or partial truth. We have had good produce at good prices. Some are "uglies", but healthy, others looked like they were just plucked from the ground. Definitely not "grocery store" quality appearance, but still good and reasonable.
Don't forget the fun aspect of going. Like some "fancy" restaurants, where you pay more for the atmosphere than the food. Jmho.

[Stu from NYC]

Some of what they sell is not grown locally so stuff comes from all over.

[MrChip72]

I remember a couple years ago in SW Florida when a "farm" that sold at farmers markets were found to get their produce delivered from Cheney Bros food wholesalers and then sold at markets. When questioned, they denied all of this but were unable to give an address for their farm.

I'm sure this is more common than anyone realizes.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I realized they are charging organic prices but was suspicious of the quality.

& this was fair representation of life on the farm.

https://youtu.be/WYLuKOvXdQs

[asianthree]

Rarely does one see produce from locals at markets. You will find local produce at the end of their drive, usually on the honor system. Most farmers don’t grow enough produce to sell the same items weekly for months at a time, that you see at FM.
Brownwood has on occasion 2 booths that sell their own produce, when they invite you to the farm for more variety, it’s worth the drive. Even citrus is hard to find locally.

We do drive to plant city strawberries for couple flats every year. Our eggs, kale, heirloom tomatoes, squash, green beans, herbs are locally sourced.

[buzzy]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

True story. I knew a guy in Fairfax, Virginia who hung out at the pool hall every day except Saturday. He was a gambler and a pool hustler. He had a beard and drove an old pickup truck, and he looked like a farmer. He told me that, on Saturday, he would go to the wholesale produce market, buy produce, and sell it at a farmers market. He said that he could sell apples and tomatoes for 10 times what he paid for them.

Sounds like Capitalism.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by buzzy

Sounds like Capitalism.

And if his customers save money, it's a win-win.

Seen any locally sourced Temu stuff?

[Utah Flyfisher]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I recently watched a documentary on some farmers market (not Villages) where vendors were caught just reselling subpar produce bought from supermarkets. I’m part time so it’s been a while but I don’t recall any of the produce stands showing the farm name (except Villages Grown). I also thought it odd they had out of season vegetables. But maybe there is no out of season in Florida? I just know up here in MA the farmers advertise their farm and growing practices (organic etc). Do you trust the vendors at the squares?

Not proud to admit it took me twice at the ‘local farmers market’ at BW to realize that the Publix across the way had much better produce than what the farmers market had to offer. Like an idiot I assumed it was like was my weekend FM is at home (Utah) There’s some nice local stuff there for sure but…..😬 sorry, The produce was trash. Totally ripped off 🙋*♀️🙋*♀️ That’s me!
Publix is where I’ll be buying my ‘local’ produce from now on.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Utah Flyfisher

Not proud to admit it took me twice at the ‘local farmers market’ at BW to realize that the Publix across the way had much better produce than what the farmers market had to offer.
...

& that's a low bar. Publix produce can be pretty sketchy.