On May 14, 2:37*am, "jmcquown" > wrote:
> "Ranée at Arabian Knits" > wrote in ...
>
>
>
> > In article
> > >,
> > ImStillMags > wrote:
>
> >> On May 13, 6:40 am, Cindy Hamilton >
> >> wrote:
> >> > On May 12, 5:50 pm, ImStillMags > wrote:
>
> >> > > On May 12, 12:59 pm, neen > wrote:
>
> >> > > > Do farmers markets tend to be more expensive to buy from?
>
> >> > > > --
> >> > > > neen
>
> >> > > I don't know about other farmer's markets. Ours seems to be no more
> >> > > expensive that organic or sustainable foods
> >> > > you find in grocery stores. The main difference is fresh, wholesome
> >> > > and local.
>
> >> > Not all vendors at farmer's markets offer organic produce.
>
> >> > Cindy Hamilton
>
> >> I guess that's true in some places. *I just like the market here. *And
> >> I like supporting local small farms.
>
> > * In our area, even the ones that aren't certified organic (a
> > designation I despise, since the USDA took it over), still tend to run
> > their farms that way. *Either way, though, I'd also rather that my money
> > went directly to the farmer and support local agriculture and small
> > farms. *The prices at our farmer's market tend to be the same or less
> > than at the grocery store for comparable produce. *We can get
> > organically raised heirloom tomatoes for about $1.00 a pound there.
> > Sale priced, conventionally grown Romas and beefsteak type tomatoes, of
> > unknown variety and provenance (except for nation or state of origin),
> > can be gotten for about $0.80-1.00 a pound. *When I can get locally
> > grown, organically raised, heirloom tomatoes for the high end sale
> > prices, why would I buy conventional from the grocery store? *The fruit
> > is locally raised and can be purchased dead ripe, for the same price or
> > less than the shipped across the country stuff at the grocery store. *I
> > love our farmer's market. *May through October is the best time for
> > buying produce here.
>
> > Our farmer's market also has these little "coins" that can be bought
> > with a debit or credit card that will spend the same as cash, but allows
> > people to buy even if they didn't bring cash. *I think they accept food
> > stamps, too.
>
> > Regards,
> > Ranee @ Arabian Knits
>
> Not picking on you, Ranee. *But I have to wonder, how can one tell if a
> vegetable is "organic"? *You can't. *We have no idea whether it's been
> sprayed with chemicals or grown horse manure. *I find the entire "organic"
> thing to be laughable. *It's a marketing scheme. *Yep, they can (and do)
> charge more for anything labelled "organic".
>
> What's up with "free range" chickens? *Did anyone actually *see* how the
> chickens were raised? *What about Eggland's Best Eggs? *What makes them
> better than buying them from a guy who sells eggs down the road? *I met a
> guy at the post office who has a flock of laying hens. *They aren't penned
> up and their beaks aren't trimmed. *His hen's eggs cost less per dozen than
> Eggland's and I *know* they are fresh!
>
> These labels are all marketing. *And the marketing people are laughing all
> the way to the bank.
>
> Jill

Jill, you can tell if you know the farmer, or visit the farm where it
is grown. You can tell if you buy from LOCAL small farmers at your
local farmers market or farm stand. You can tell if the farmers in
the area have a cooperative and belong to a group that promotes fresh,
organic, local and wholesome foods.

It's all about paying attention to where your food comes from. If you
buy "national brands" at the grocery store your really don't know
where it comes from. If you buy directly from your local people,
take the produce directly out of their hands at a farmers market, you
can see the difference in the food. You can taste the difference in
the freshness.

You are correct that the big growers and agribusiness try to take
advantage of the 'organic' label, that's one reason
I like to buy from area farmers as much as possible when in season. I
just feel better about it.