Brownwood Farmers Market needs your help
 

As you know I try to promote Brownwood as I just posted about it. I normally go on Sat. morning. I shop at the stores and then I hit the farmers market. I was there last week and the fruit and vegetable stands (there are not many at this time of the year) were nearly giving away their product as it was so slow. It could be a win, win for everyone if you go and check it out. Helps you and the vendor. We don't want to lose them...

[QUOTE=My Daily Run;1099977]As you know I try to promote Brownwood as I just posted about it. I normally go on Sat. morning. I shop at the stores and then I hit the farmers market. I was there last week and the fruit and vegetable stands (there are not many at this time of the year) were nearly giving away their product as it was so slow. It could be a win, win for everyone if you go and check it out. Helps you and the vendor. We don't want to lose them...[/QUO


Their main problem is their prices. You can find the same products at the Market of Marion for much less cost. Produce quality about the same at both venues, but at a much higher cost at Brownwood.

We used to go often but the prices and quality of the fruit and produce are nothing to brag about.

Same here. I know produce, grown and cooked it for decades.

Too often it is the same stuff as the stores, same packing crates, same quality.

I'd give a lot for a few decent tomatoes. They sign says home grown, but they ain't.

We went last Saturday- it rained just before 9 a.m. there- that could have been a deterrent for some shoppers.

I have been very happy with all the produce I have purchased there and the vast majority of the fresh vegetables ARE home grown.
Let me correct that statement. Home Grown IN SEASON.

I do not agree that the prices of the fresh produce are high.
I do not agree that they are considerably higher than the Market of Marion.
Not at all.

Compare the prices/quality to anywhere else and consider what it takes to get them to that stand in the market. These are local families making an honest living.

I DO agree that some of the NON- produce 'specialty' booths have higher prices than you can find elsewhere.... but some of those products are not FOUND elsewhere- so buy them or don't, as you wish.

From what I have seen, most of the "homegrown" produce at the Farmer's Markets around here is shipped in from all over. I have asked,and I don't know of one vendor who actually has a farm. And I don't necessarily want to buy a whole box of tomatoes or green peppers.

This is an interesting debate. Are the veggies local or not? Both sides seem credible.

I'd like to buy local but like others I think the veggies at Save-A-Lot just down the road seem less expensive. I'll go this morning and try them again. It's close.

BTW are they the same vendors that sell in SS on thursday? I never went there for veggies. Fresh Market has their best prices on Tuesday. Too bad they aren't on the same day.

High summer heat
 

This is the time of yesr when the fatmers are waiting for fall planting. Locally the heat and bugs are just terrible and few veggies would be available. I do think most is not grown locally. But really what is considered "locally"? I do like the florida melons and summer corn. Beyond southern Georgia most veggies are grown in California.

Their vegetables always rot within two days of buying them. I think they must be selling what the supermarkets throw away.

You are right, that in August, many crops here are done producing. Planting begins again soon- then you will see an abundance of locally grown veggies in season.

Right now many things are being shipped from Indiana, Michigan, Illinois. (The Midwest)

[QUOTE=Warren Kiefer;1099985]There's that price thingy again. Whatever happened to support your community?

They aren't growing the vegetables in The Villages. They are growing them in surrounding communities ~ the same communities Marion Market serves.

"Price thingy" is always an issue, no matter how much or little you may have.

I am one of those who grew up dirt poor, as did DH. You don't accumulate wealth by spending it without obtaining the best value ~ and the best value is not necessarily the cheapest.

Dirt poo? Me too and a lot of others and I would think, most of us. If we don't buy at the market the vendors don't show up and then we complain about that. There isn't a vendor inside TV that makes their own stuff and if they don't survive because of the pricey thing then we complain because we have to leave TV to get stuff. I believe in purchasing value and that, sometimes, is paying a higher price for the same thing to help stores and vendors survive. From what I have seen here, in the year I have lived here, I am in the minority.....the pricey thing is the driver.

As I said, I'd give a lot for decent tomatoes.

I will not pay premium prices for grocery store or lower produce.

Trust me, when it comes to food, I will pay for quality. I don't see it at Brownwood.

My turn...uptown Girl hit the nail. Not much in local produce survives this heat. And if you want great local tomatoes, there are not any. You could blame somebody, or go north. I like Tennessee tomatoes, and I would guess it they are all gone by now too.

We live in a place that many vendors both inside and outside the villages believe that since we live here we have money and their prices reflect that-problem is there are many of us who worked hard to get here but it doesn't mean that we have money=I for one wish more people would understand that!

I personally enjoy going to the farmer's market here, what a treat when you did not have that back in.....I have found the marketers very pleasant to buy from, and def. cheaper than at the nearby grocery store. Living the good life here in TV.

I try to support my community, but summer produce comes from other places and, in my opinion, the quality isn't there. As for the prices, don't forget that the vendors rent their spots, and who knows how much that is. I got turned off during strawberry season, when I saw a vendor selling "local strawberries" was taking them out of a carton marked California Strawberries and repackaging them. When confronted, he didn't say anything. I walked away.

So not true. There are plenty of vendors that make their own stuff.

I agree.

There is a vendor near the Walmart on CR 466 that right now has Tennessee beefsteak tomatoes, purchased some on Thursday. And they are good.

Does he have peaches, too? I saw him Saturday, but didn't have any cash. :jester:

I may swing by. My best purchases have been the independent folks.

Where did you conclude that most of the produce is home grown. Look at the packing boxes behind the booths. Most of the produce is actually purchased for resale at wholesale markets.

[QUOTE=JoMar;1100155]My community ??? These venders are from places throughout central Florida. And I wouldn't consider the Market of Marion folk as being from a foreign country.

[QUOTE=Warren Kiefer;1100441]I'm sorry, I thought you lived in TV which is my community.

A matter of preference
 

Liked the produce much better when the market was located in Wildwood on Saturday. Seemed to have more of the locals and local goods. Just sayin!

I know several locals farmers who take their produce to these wholesale markets.

If they are not being patronized then I would have to assume that most people don't care if we lose them.

And I would guess that if the prices are higher at the Brownwood Market for the same or similar quality produce elsewhere it is because the rents are higher or they feel that the people here are willing to pay more.

Wayyyy over priced, and not local.

One "Good" thing!!! You can get to Brownwood by golf cart!!!!

Thanks, Indy.

If you have two hours to kill. But hey, what's the hurry? You're retired, right?

It's business. If they offer good value, and a product in demand, they will survive. If not, they will close.

Well, the guacamole is made right in front of you. That is about as fresh as it can get. Ohhhhhh, nooooooo, those beautiful avocados are not local. -- She said with a little sarcasm. Shame on her. -- Maybe buy some (and the chips, too) at the end of your visit, take it home, and make some sangria later to go with it.

We always start the visit to Brownwood with a crepe for breakfast.

I usually find something at the produce stands, too.

The markets are a nice addition to the squares. I want to see them continue.......Ever heard anybody &$@#%-ing about empty commercial space in stripmalls and big malls, and even our squares, while ordering everything for themselves online? -- The Irony Principle. -- When we are in TV, I buy books at B&N. That is not easy to do elsewhere anymore. I sure hope B&N stays at LSL....Whoops.....I digress....

Morning-version-of-sort-of-snotty Laurie2

2 hours?

If you live in the north end of town and drive a cart, I think roundtrip it's 2 hours.
I asked before and don't think anyone answered my question. Are the veggie vendors in Spanish Springs on thursday the same ones at Brownwood?

It appears that many of the vendors sell at both locations.

I have enjoyed fresh crepes made by Jorge at both locations- although if he is booked for a private event he will sometimes miss a market day.

I think they are. because when I went to Spanish Springs, I saw 3 of the same vendors that work out of Brownwood. Of course, I don't know them all, but the ones I frequent, I noticed. I myself, enjoy the cart ride to Brownwood, even though it takes a good 40 minutes from Caroline. I just don't buy frozen shrimp that day. hehehe