Is local produce more expensive?
Not in Iowa, according to a study by the Leopold center for Sustainable Agriculture:
Specific findings of the research show that the mean price per pound for the local farmers’ market vegetable basket1 is $1.25, while the mean price per pound for the non-local supermarket vegetable basket is $1.39. It should be noted that the differences in price between the local and non-local vegetable baskets were not statistically significant. Additionally, if an individual were to buy one pound of each vegetable in the vegetable market basket, the local vegetable basket would total $8.84 while its non-local supermarket counterpart would total $10.45. Local price advantages mainly stem from the competitive pricing of zucchini and summer squash at farmers’ markets. These price advantages could be due to factors such as abundant supply, seasonality, or weather.
Tons of caveats, however, with seasonality being the biggest variable.
It’d be great if someone in the North Country could conduct a similar study here.
HT: Bernadette Logozar at Cornell Ext.
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Food for thought:
Sometimes it seems when I go to the farmer’s market in Canton, the prices are just too high. Curiously, all the vendors charge the same price for the same item…how could that be? Where is the competition? The Amish charge less but, (I’ve been told), they are not especially welcome at the market (because they sell their produce for less than the English sell theirs for).
If farmers want locals to buy their produce, they need to remember that if they sell in quantity, the prices should reflect that.
Many issues to reflect on when considering this topic.
Many of us do know how much it costs to raise certain items and feel as if we are being taken advantage of when the prices at the farmer’s market are higher than in the grocery store.
And no, I do not believe farmers should make a subsistance living.
Many thoughts to noodle around.
Are there any true, good answers?
If one chooses a certain profession, way of life or living, should they make the same as folks in other professions? What of the many artists who struggle to make a living while working at their art?
Are they not in the same category as farmers?
Lots of howling about socialism but isn’t that what we are talking about when we promote any segment of society to make the same kind of living as say…a teacher…a business owner…a banker…etc?
These are questions and thoughts, folks.
Please don’t blow a gasket.
Let’s all think about it…get a dialogue going…and just maybe…we’ll come up with some good answers.
Artists the same as farmers? Not hardly. I’ll avoid further discussion in that area.
Tell me, just how many people at the farmers market do think actually add up their costs and their 40% markup and sell at that price? Not very darn many. If I produce a commodity and can sell it for $1.00 a pound but the guy next to me is selling an equal quality item for $1.50- which way do you think most people will go? Am I going to risk giving up $.50 a pound? Do I rely on my lower price selling? What if his stand is “nicer” or he’s a more personable salesman? What pressures are put on the vendors from the other vendors? I don’t know, but there must be some “rules”.
I get a magazine that has been going on and on about local produce, sustainable organic agriculture, etc for decades. Most of the people responding to the mag are of the “Even though my organic produce is wilted, wimpy and dirty, I should get twice as much for it as the super Walmart because I’m ORGANIC!!!” frame of mind. Things just don’t work that way in the real world. No, it’s not “fair”. It’s reality. Deal with it.
Most of the people I know in the farming/food production area are well aware they probably won’t ever have a Beeemer, vacations in Vale or Aruba or the McMansion in the gated community. Most of them I know don’t get any subsidies. That’s a trade off. I think the vast majority is very well aware of it going in.