Guest guest Posted September 8, 2009 Report Share Posted September 8, 2009 Hi everyone, I think I already know the answer to this, but I wanted to ask the group for more information... In my area in St. Louis, MO, there are two large farmers markets (Soulard and Kirkwood) that are pretty highly regarded. But, it appears that the vast majority of the produce for sale have those little stickers on them with produce codes (PLU codes) just exactly like the ones at the chain store groceries. SO, I am wondering how this is taking place and if this produce is truly from local farmers? (It seems as if the produce is very shiny and waxed just like the big groceries as well) What is it like in other cities? Thanks for any help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2009 Report Share Posted September 8, 2009 This is the same at the market near me. I have been told many of the vendors go to the same produce auctions that the grocery store reps get their stuff at. You've got to wonder when there are pineapples and bananas at a farmer's market in Ontario! I live on the edge of town with farms all around but it's hard to find truly local stuff at our market -- and there's nothing organic. Heather 2009/9/8 jamiefrana <jamiefrana > > > Hi everyone, > > I think I already know the answer to this, but I wanted to ask the group > for more information... > In my area in St. Louis, MO, there are two large farmers markets (Soulard > and Kirkwood) that are pretty highly regarded. But, it appears that the vast > majority of the produce for sale have those little stickers on them with > produce codes (PLU codes) just exactly like the ones at the chain store > groceries. SO, I am wondering how this is taking place and if this produce > is truly from local farmers? (It seems as if the produce is very shiny and > waxed just like the big groceries as well) What is it like in other cities? > Thanks for any help! > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2009 Report Share Posted September 8, 2009 Hi Jamie, We belong to an organic CSA (community-supported agriculture) program, where we get a box of produce from a local farm each week. Sometimes the produce in that box has stickers on it or are in those plastic clamshell boxes - I think the farms pack it all up the same way after it's picked, and then some goes to the stores, some to the CSA boxes, and some to the farmer's markets. I'm sure it's still fresh and local in our box as we're in contact with the farmer and one of his other farmer suppliers, and I know they pick within 12 hours of us getting our box. And I don't know about the policies at farmers markets there, but here in CA, they have to post info on whether they're certified organic farmers and where the food is sourced from (if they buy food from other suppliers like our CSA farm does - the farm next-door sells apples and our farm doesn't grow apples, for example). And I don't know about the shiny and waxiness - I'd guess it's still allowed at farmer's markets like it is in stores, so some farmers likely do it for aesthetics. We got a survey from our farm before asking if we'd be okay with getting less-than-pretty fruit if it meant we got more - like tomatoes with sun spots on them. They can't sell in stores very well, but for those of us who understand what happens to tomatoes in the sun and are okay with the visual flaws of delicious, juicy tomatoes, bring 'em on. :-) I'd prefer a sun spot on a local fruit to wax on a shipped fruit any day! :-) Happy veggie shopping! :-) Lorraine On Behalf Of jamiefrana Tuesday, September 08, 2009 7:38 AM Farmers Markets in St. Louis, MO Hi everyone, I think I already know the answer to this, but I wanted to ask the group for more information... In my area in St. Louis, MO, there are two large farmers markets (Soulard and Kirkwood) that are pretty highly regarded. But, it appears that the vast majority of the produce for sale have those little stickers on them with produce codes (PLU codes) just exactly like the ones at the chain store groceries. SO, I am wondering how this is taking place and if this produce is truly from local farmers? (It seems as if the produce is very shiny and waxed just like the big groceries as well) What is it like in other cities? Thanks for any help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2009 Report Share Posted September 9, 2009 You are right Heather, a lot of people go to the Ontario Food Terminal or wherever and buy produce to sell at farmer's markets. It's best to ask questions of the farmers...it will be pretty obvious who is a farmer and who is not. Ask them where their farm is (look at their signage etc), ask them about growing techniques (many are not certified but do not spray - often labelled as " no spray " ), etc. It's also best to educate ourselves about what is local produce in your area. As you said Heather, pineapples and bananas definitely do not grow in Ontario!! It's a shame that we can't get more local produce but we also need to take responsibility and start demanding it from grocery stores and start supporting our local farmers (CSA or whatever). On a positive note, there is a definite increase is awareness and interest. I have been invited with a colleague as guest speakers re: Culinary Tourism which is all about local. Some of my research focusses on this area. There is a definitely movement in Southern Ontario as well as many other regions. I've also seen an increase in the desire to learn about freezing food and canning - back to basics!! Okay, I could go on but won't. Paula , Heather Hossfeld <hlh4850 wrote: > > This is the same at the market near me. I have been told many of the vendors > go to the same produce auctions that the grocery store reps get their stuff > at. You've got to wonder when there are pineapples and bananas at a farmer's > market in Ontario! I live on the edge of town with farms all around but it's > hard to find truly local stuff at our market -- and there's nothing > organic. > Heather > > > 2009/9/8 jamiefrana <jamiefrana > > > > > > > Hi everyone, > > > > I think I already know the answer to this, but I wanted to ask the group > > for more information... > > In my area in St. Louis, MO, there are two large farmers markets (Soulard > > and Kirkwood) that are pretty highly regarded. But, it appears that the vast > > majority of the produce for sale have those little stickers on them with > > produce codes (PLU codes) just exactly like the ones at the chain store > > groceries. SO, I am wondering how this is taking place and if this produce > > is truly from local farmers? (It seems as if the produce is very shiny and > > waxed just like the big groceries as well) What is it like in other cities? > > Thanks for any help! > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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