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How to avoid getting scammed at the farmer's market?
Posted by:
Delta223
()
Date: November 24, 2010 09:58PM Hi all,
I'm going to a farmer's market for the first time tomorrow. To be honest I'm a little nervous. I normally stick to the big stores for their reputation. Now I'll be dealing with a bunch of guys from who-knows-where with food that probably hasn't been inspected by anyone. How do you guys shop these markets safely? Is there a good resource for examining food before buying? Re: How to avoid getting scammed at the farmer's market?
Posted by:
suncloud
()
Date: November 25, 2010 01:22AM I suggest that you buy organic.
All food-handling procedures for all certified organic produce are inspected by trained inspectors, and organic rules include measures that makes any food contamination extremely difficult. No other produce - no matter whether it's pruchased at a supermarket or a farmers' market - is subjected to such intense scrutiny. Plus, buying organic is best for the planet, and for the future of a healthy food supply. Re: How to avoid getting scammed at the farmer's market?
Posted by:
RocketShip
()
Date: November 25, 2010 05:35AM Interesting that you view farmers markets in that way... I view the big stores that way! Buying food in mass quantities, no way to inspect the goods, food brought from countries with questionable standards. Versus farmer's markets that have to comply with US standards and who typically don't produce in mass quantities. And with their reputation on the line they have a vested interest in producing quality products.
I would be much more worried about buying produce from countries that use human feces to fertilize vs the US that does not. Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/25/2010 05:37AM by RocketShip. Re: How to avoid getting scammed at the farmer's market?
Posted by:
powerlifer
()
Date: November 25, 2010 10:52AM As suncloud says buying organic is a good start, they have to comply with very strict standards i hear.
Ive never really heard of anyone having a bad time or getting scammed at a farmers market here, so im sure it will go fine and do haggle you can get yourself some good deals. Re: How to avoid getting scammed at the farmer's market?
Posted by:
Delta223
()
Date: November 25, 2010 07:05PM RocketShip Wrote:
I would be much more worried about buying produce from countries that use human feces to fertilize vs the US that does not. ---------- Is this actually a health risk though? I've read that the best meat in terms of protein quality is human flesh, so we may be our own best fertilizer as well! Re: How to avoid getting scammed at the farmer's market?
Posted by:
BackAgain
()
Date: November 26, 2010 02:13AM Don't pay more per pound than what Whole Foods or your local CoOp sells it for. 
I did the internet thing once of looking for small farms, farmers markets thinking I'd get better quality and prices but in some cases it just wasn't true and I went back to Whole Foods. A lot of their in season products are "local", just more "local" than I'd drive myself..within the nearest few states. I found organic products from a few states away cheaper and better than some guy who grew them in a greenhouse 10 minutes away. Re: How to avoid getting scammed at the farmer's market?
Posted by:
powerlifer
()
Date: November 26, 2010 10:35AM That is very true Backagain, these supermarket chains have such buying power that they sometimes end up able to offer the produce cheaper.
Although if your buying alot regularly usually you can come to some kind of deal with the farmers ive found. Re: How to avoid getting scammed at the farmer's market?
Posted by:
Curator
()
Date: November 29, 2010 11:20AM its quite true, regular bulk buyers tend to get great deals, be4I moved, I had found an organic farm nearby that wuold sell me Kale, in bunches more than twice as big as those in the store, for $1.30 each with a minimum purchase of 7.
They did a similar deal with me for other produce as well, It ended up being cheaper than non-organic food... they also gave me a going away gift, and 2 of them gave me a hug...I miss them, the food and the people...they where awesome... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oh, mirror in the sky What is love? Can the child within my heart rise above? Can I sail through the changing ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life? Re: How to avoid getting scammed at the farmer's market?
Posted by:
clank72
()
Date: December 03, 2010 09:51PM Just watch out.
I always tell people, if the fruit looks TOO perfect, there might be something wrong. I've seen apples at the farmers market that look so perfect they look fake. And if they get offended when you ask "are these organic", just say OK, and walk away. People are willing to do anything for a buck these days, they don't care about you or your health, they need to pay bills. Just watch out and take precaution. Re: How to avoid getting scammed at the farmer's market?
Posted by:
Curator
()
Date: December 05, 2010 06:20AM well yeah...any organic produce isnt going to look completely perfect, although some produce has no real pests, for instance, if you find yourself looking at pretty much perfect habenero's, that doesnt mean they arent organic... just that humans are the only species crazy enough to eat them...hehehe --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oh, mirror in the sky What is love? Can the child within my heart rise above? Can I sail through the changing ocean tides? Can I handle the seasons of my life? Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
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