(Community Matters) My earlier post noted Cameron and I shopped at the Downtown Farmers’ Market this morning. As we purchased just a few items – some tomatoes, onions, garlic, squash, watermelon and goat cheese – I was startled by the prices. We discussed this and I acknowledged wanting to help sustain local farms, and I don’t want to be gouged.
Once we returned home, popped over to Wheatsville to compare prices. Three organic tomatoes of very similar weight from the same local, organic farm cost twice as much at the Farmers’ Market as they would have cost *retail* at Wheatsville. The watermelon, not the same farm but another organic, local producer, again double Wheatsville retail price at the Farmers’ Market. The onion – also double.
I’m not sure exactly what’s going on here. Doesn’t feel right paying double the retail cost. Doesn’t speak well of Farmers’ Market ambition to bring healthy, local produce to most Austinites. As a new advisory council member for the Sustainable Food Center, I feel compelled to pursue these questions with the organization (they run the Farmers’ Market). Appreciate any thoughts readers might have on the topic.
Community Matters 