[Utah Flyfisher]

Indeed….the point I was attempting to make 🤷🏻*♀️

[Sandabern]

I don’t really know, but being from rural Ohio, I’ve been to plenty of “Farmers’ Markets” and I have limited faith. I don’t know what they are doing or not doing, but like most food here, the Farmers’ Markets here are overrated. It’s the “cost of doing business” in TV. Lifestyle is a 10 while the food is a 6 as the food most everywhere (especially the “high end” restaurants) is overrated. Although the local watermelon and strawberries here are fantastic at the right time of the year.

Originally Posted by frayedends

I recently watched a documentary on some farmers market (not Villages) where vendors were caught just reselling subpar produce bought from supermarkets. I’m part time so it’s been a while but I don’t recall any of the produce stands showing the farm name (except Villages Grown). I also thought it odd they had out of season vegetables. But maybe there is no out of season in Florida? I just know up here in MA the farmers advertise their farm and growing practices (organic etc). Do you trust the vendors at the squares?

[waterflower]

You are correct. This is not a strictly local farmers market. Vendors are few who are passionate about healthy food. If you look under the vendors tables or in their vans you can see the boxes from dole etc. Evidence that they go to the reginal auction.

[Bness]

Just look under the tables and you will see all the Dole pineapple, Oregon citrus and various big farm boxes labeled with the imported produce they are selling on top of the tables as locally grown.
Large heirloom tomatoes for instance cannot be grown locally in our climate between May and September. If you see those, they are definitely not locally grown.

[jimkerr]

The produce I’ve bought at the farmers market has been good although the French bakery was always my favorite.

[Two Bills]

It all comes from a farm somewhere!

[Danube]

Originally Posted by frayedends

Do you trust the vendors at the squares?

No.

Not only is the produce almost the same stuff available in supermarkets, the spice mixes for making dips is mass-produced and is available from food wholesalers in 20 lb bags and large drums.

Many of the "home made" crafts are cheap imports.

[Danube]

Originally Posted by buzzy

Sounds like Capitalism.

And if the seller has to lie a little to make a sale, so be it. It's the way our system works. It's who we are.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I recently watched a documentary on some farmers market (not Villages) where vendors were caught just reselling subpar produce bought from supermarkets. I’m part time so it’s been a while but I don’t recall any of the produce stands showing the farm name (except Villages Grown). I also thought it odd they had out of season vegetables. But maybe there is no out of season in Florida? I just know up here in MA the farmers advertise their farm and growing practices (organic etc). Do you trust the vendors at the squares?

I think “Villages Grown” produce is grown in the big greenhouses near the intersection of 44 and Morse. So, yes, their produce could be at the same time locally grown and out of season and organic.

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

I think “Villages Grown” produce is grown in the big greenhouses near the intersection of 44 and Morse. So, yes, their produce could be at the same time locally grown and out of season and organic.

Is there a Villages Grown store still around? There used to be one in Brownwood.

I do wonder about the boxes under the vendor table???

[Villagesgal]

If you want real farm grown, you have to drive out to the farm and either buy upick or they picked from their farm stand. Next to nothing at our farmers market it locally grown. You'd be better off growing your own in pots.

[Number 10 GI]

When I worked in Nashville, TN, my route to work took me past 3 large produce wholesalers. Nearly every morning there would be a pickup truck or two leaving from these wholesalers with a load of vegetables in the bed of the truck. My route took me past the Farmers Market in the city and guess where these pickup trucks went. Right into the FM.

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Do I trust the vendors at the squares? Absolutely not. Fraud at farmers markets is rampant everywhere. This is because the markup on wholesale produce is huge.

“Trust”…you know what’s going on, live with it…or go elsewhere. What are you worried about. Does it taste ok? We live hungry world…be THANKFUL for what you have.

[Villager24]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I recently watched a documentary on some farmers market (not Villages) where vendors were caught just reselling subpar produce bought from supermarkets. I’m part time so it’s been a while but I don’t recall any of the produce stands showing the farm name (except Villages Grown). I also thought it odd they had out of season vegetables. But maybe there is no out of season in Florida? I just know up here in MA the farmers advertise their farm and growing practices (organic etc). Do you trust the vendors at the squares?

C’mon, I just go to have a bloody, people and dog watch, and listen to the dude selling pottery. Such a salesman!

[GATORBILL66]

Farmers market is way overpriced. Price items out and then go Publix. You will see what I am talking about, The Farmers market in Brownwood is just a gimmick for the uninformed!