For those interested to finding local farms and /or farmer markets, check out thesed two resources:
U-Pick Farm Locater (https://upickfarmlocator.com/) Find local farms where you can pick your own fruit and vegetables.
Local Harvest (localharvest.org) has listings for Farmer Markets, Co-ops, Organic Grocers, Farm Stands and Community Supported Agriculture farm (CSA's).
So true. Early September I was looking for bulk, grade B tomatoes for canning. About a bushel. Stopped at one seller at a market- they wanted 80$ for a bushel of tomatoes! I later purchased 2 bushels from a Hmong farmer for 20$ each
The entrepreneur in me doesn't blame these people for increasing their prices because they know the inner-city yuppies will pay it! But for everyone else... the affordable prices are just a car ride away.
must add another comment - the union square farmers market does take EBT cards - which helps low income people to pay for their food - although the prices are still high
Better yet, when I read "pull out a map and make a ‘farm stand loop’ near your home", I thought *someone should make a website that does that!* It could find local farm stands, offer checkboxes to include the ones you want to visit, calculate an optimal round trip route that's also adjustable, and spit out directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps.
Let's help more people get out and explore their local farm stands! The relationships they form with farmers may be key to food security.
There is a good service I use down here on Long Island called Rustic Roots Delivery. They work with local organic farmers on LI and up to the Hudson Valley and you can have a weekly order delivered or go a la carte. It's pricey though and definitely caters to the affluent around here. I still like to stop at every farm stand I can when I'm driving through the Catskills. If I'm taking a trip anyway, why not take the scenic route and get off I-87?
that's true, city farmers market and food trucks used to be a cheaper way of getting food, they should be cheaper since the overhead is low, but now they are marked up insanely. i do buy my grassfed beef at the farmers market for $11-$13/lb for fajita strips and stew chunks. It's worth it for the quality.
AGREED! I live in Manhattan and prefer to shop at the farmers market. But it's clear that the many of the prices are geared toward the finance class in Manhattan, not working people.
https://www.georgesmillcheese.com/welcome-1 I follow this place on IG and love what they are doing, in summer they do stock their farm store with other local goodies. They are probably networked with some other farm stands in the area, too. There's got to be a lot down there, I'm just not as familiar with that area, I'm in MD
Appreciate the path you’ve chosen in life & very much appreciate your willingness to share your journey & experiences. If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind sharing a link with names & addresses for the farms you visit?
I live in CT & have watched with sadness as the farms in my area I grew up visiting regularly, have dwindled & disappeared with alarming frequency.
I have visited basically every family farm in Washington County, NY! Most don't have websites / links. If they don't have a website/link, you can count on cheap, quality produce!
My apologies for not being clear. I wondered if you had kept track of the names & addresses of the farms you have visited & whether you had a direct link with the names & addresses of those farms.
I used to love farmers markets, but I was quickly out-priced by the time I was in my mid-20s. This is an interesting take, but I feel like there's more to it--not that we have the time/space to write about everything that relates to a topic, so not a criticism. I'd just like to add... in the USA, the middle class is being crushed. Absolutely crushed. Average household income has not risen since 1974(ish). So we could say that the wealthy have "hijacked" everything because they are the only ones who can afford it. Maybe prices are what they are supposed to be because they are matching inflation, meanwhile wages do not match inflation. What this trend tells me, in the US at least, is that our government is leaving SO many people behind.
Additionally, the expense of farmer's markets and the alternative of needing to go to the farmers leaves me wondering what we can do for those living in food deserts without the time/money to go to farmers. It makes me think of Detroit's Agrihood, a massive urban farm with sensory garden for children. We've got to tackle better nutritional outcomes and food equity from many angles. The farm tour bus idea could be great if they had a nonprofit arm/free rides day for low-income communities. It could be especially fun for children, and if only 1 or 2 adults are needed to chaperone they could buy produce for the whole community. There are so many things we can do! :)
(Also, who are these 'wealthy millennials' of which you speak? LOL, I just saw an article about how millennials are buying fewer groceries and eating at restaurants less; maybe it's more of a US issue for millennials to be completely broke and living with their parents or having lots of roommates.)
Some farmers at my local market were going to do a small collective within the market. Several farms at one stand. I don't know if they reduced their prices in the process. I haven't been there since. I noticed that the stand that sells great produce and variety at much lower costs than most other stands sells out every time. They bring a lot and it's beautiful stuff ! Totally stands out from the rest.
For those interested to finding local farms and /or farmer markets, check out thesed two resources:
U-Pick Farm Locater (https://upickfarmlocator.com/) Find local farms where you can pick your own fruit and vegetables.
Local Harvest (localharvest.org) has listings for Farmer Markets, Co-ops, Organic Grocers, Farm Stands and Community Supported Agriculture farm (CSA's).
So true. Early September I was looking for bulk, grade B tomatoes for canning. About a bushel. Stopped at one seller at a market- they wanted 80$ for a bushel of tomatoes! I later purchased 2 bushels from a Hmong farmer for 20$ each
Yes!! It drives me NUTS to see the pricing at these markets.
I respect the work that goes into gardening ( I also garden but lack sufficient sunlight here to grow enough tomatoes) but that was obscene
The entrepreneur in me doesn't blame these people for increasing their prices because they know the inner-city yuppies will pay it! But for everyone else... the affordable prices are just a car ride away.
must add another comment - the union square farmers market does take EBT cards - which helps low income people to pay for their food - although the prices are still high
That is good to know!
I like the business idea of a "farm tour bus".
Better yet, when I read "pull out a map and make a ‘farm stand loop’ near your home", I thought *someone should make a website that does that!* It could find local farm stands, offer checkboxes to include the ones you want to visit, calculate an optimal round trip route that's also adjustable, and spit out directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps.
Let's help more people get out and explore their local farm stands! The relationships they form with farmers may be key to food security.
Yes!
Love that idea! Are you going to do it?
There is a good service I use down here on Long Island called Rustic Roots Delivery. They work with local organic farmers on LI and up to the Hudson Valley and you can have a weekly order delivered or go a la carte. It's pricey though and definitely caters to the affluent around here. I still like to stop at every farm stand I can when I'm driving through the Catskills. If I'm taking a trip anyway, why not take the scenic route and get off I-87?
Right! Good ole I-87
Love this! I'd jump on that tour bus in a heartbeat! #farmgroupie😜💪
You are always inspiring Alexandra.
Aww, I love sharing my ideas!
that's true, city farmers market and food trucks used to be a cheaper way of getting food, they should be cheaper since the overhead is low, but now they are marked up insanely. i do buy my grassfed beef at the farmers market for $11-$13/lb for fajita strips and stew chunks. It's worth it for the quality.
AGREED! I live in Manhattan and prefer to shop at the farmers market. But it's clear that the many of the prices are geared toward the finance class in Manhattan, not working people.
Does anyone in the Northern Virginia know of great farm stands within 30 min drives? So willing to go!
I may try this one! https://potomacvegetablefarms.com/
https://www.georgesmillcheese.com/welcome-1 I follow this place on IG and love what they are doing, in summer they do stock their farm store with other local goodies. They are probably networked with some other farm stands in the area, too. There's got to be a lot down there, I'm just not as familiar with that area, I'm in MD
Amazing thank you! Will check it out!
If we had a nationwide #FarmToSchoolBreakfast/Lunch
model, along with #FarmToFamily SNAP and WIC, local producers would not have to endure thehassle and indignity of the current dynamic.
localharvest.org is a compendium of quality small producers near you as long as you live in the United States. A great resource.
Appreciate the path you’ve chosen in life & very much appreciate your willingness to share your journey & experiences. If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind sharing a link with names & addresses for the farms you visit?
I live in CT & have watched with sadness as the farms in my area I grew up visiting regularly, have dwindled & disappeared with alarming frequency.
I have visited basically every family farm in Washington County, NY! Most don't have websites / links. If they don't have a website/link, you can count on cheap, quality produce!
My apologies for not being clear. I wondered if you had kept track of the names & addresses of the farms you have visited & whether you had a direct link with the names & addresses of those farms.
Alex offers inspiration. Do your own research.
Kip out
Kop out …. Answer the question
Oh no..Alex offers information and inspiration, not service. Get it?
I used to love farmers markets, but I was quickly out-priced by the time I was in my mid-20s. This is an interesting take, but I feel like there's more to it--not that we have the time/space to write about everything that relates to a topic, so not a criticism. I'd just like to add... in the USA, the middle class is being crushed. Absolutely crushed. Average household income has not risen since 1974(ish). So we could say that the wealthy have "hijacked" everything because they are the only ones who can afford it. Maybe prices are what they are supposed to be because they are matching inflation, meanwhile wages do not match inflation. What this trend tells me, in the US at least, is that our government is leaving SO many people behind.
Additionally, the expense of farmer's markets and the alternative of needing to go to the farmers leaves me wondering what we can do for those living in food deserts without the time/money to go to farmers. It makes me think of Detroit's Agrihood, a massive urban farm with sensory garden for children. We've got to tackle better nutritional outcomes and food equity from many angles. The farm tour bus idea could be great if they had a nonprofit arm/free rides day for low-income communities. It could be especially fun for children, and if only 1 or 2 adults are needed to chaperone they could buy produce for the whole community. There are so many things we can do! :)
(Also, who are these 'wealthy millennials' of which you speak? LOL, I just saw an article about how millennials are buying fewer groceries and eating at restaurants less; maybe it's more of a US issue for millennials to be completely broke and living with their parents or having lots of roommates.)
Some farmers at my local market were going to do a small collective within the market. Several farms at one stand. I don't know if they reduced their prices in the process. I haven't been there since. I noticed that the stand that sells great produce and variety at much lower costs than most other stands sells out every time. They bring a lot and it's beautiful stuff ! Totally stands out from the rest.
You are misunderstanding the opportunity to make an investment and calling it an expense.