[Two Bills]

Here in the UK, some supermarkets have started selling "Wonky" veg at near half the price of regular veg.
The only difference is they are not the uniform shape of the higher priced veg.
Who cares if a carrot or cucumber is not perfectly shaped, the nutritional value is the same.
I grow a lot of our own veg in our garden, and I reckon about 25% would be rejected on conformity by a supermarket. Nothing wrong with the stuff.
I would also add, if you are buying organic, and fruit/veg looks perfect, it has been sprayed with something.
I take organic labeled foods these days with a very large pinch of salt!
JMO.

[frayedends]

Thanks for all the input. I guess I just have to compare prices and quality and know I am not getting things from local farms, if I go at all. I do like the Villages grown stuff. The market at Sawgrass doesn't really have a lot of stock as far as produce and it is expensive. I find Publix way overpriced. Will definitely shop around and if there are local farms I will travel to them if it's good stuff.

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by Ropnrose

There's a Village's Grown store at Sawgrass.

I don't mind supporting the vendors at local farmer's markets. They're out there trying to make a buck like everyone else. If their produce is good quality, I'd rather spend my money with them, rather than a corporate chain. Before, I do purchase any produce, I walk around behind the booths and check out the boxes of produce to see where it's origin is. I've seen a lot from Georgia. Close enough for me!

Thank you for the location of the Village's Grown store.

[ndf888]

Originally Posted by 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.

I have come to reallize that not only the Farmers’ Markets here are overrated, but the whole ‘organic’ produce is a questionable product. Because organic farmers often use manure, it tend to be high in lead and other heavy metals. Much more so than regular produce. It’s been well documented but nobody checks for it.

[FLSunshine]

Originally Posted by jimkerr

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

. We bought some baked goods (croissants and bread) from the Brownwood Farmers Market thinking it would be good. Unfortunately it was old and stale. It was awful! Never again will I buy anything from them.

[PhilR]

I’ve worked in the biz for 40 years. Last 30 for an importer/ marketer and grower yes you can be all

My previous position in Maryland, we imported tomatoes from holland (no longer allowed), Canada and Mexico depending on season. Berries from South America and Mexico. For distribution to retail

Early each spring we would get a couple farmers market folks come through buying Mexican berries and tomatoes for their stands.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by ndf888

I have come to reallize that not only the Farmers’ Markets here are overrated, but the whole ‘organic’ produce is a questionable product. Because organic farmers often use manure, it tend to be high in lead and other heavy metals. Much more so than regular produce. It’s been well documented but nobody checks for it.

There are organic fertilizers & pesticides, that are far more toxic than anything made in a laboratory. The FDA allows what it allows and catches "cheaters" when they have nothing else to do.

That's not to say some organically grown food items might be better than similar items not grown organically, but generically thinking that "organic" is better, healthier or safer, is simply untrue ... people are buying into the sizzle, not the reality.

[Bay Kid]

How about the fresh fish?

[jimhoward]

So you have a stand selling fresh fruit, baked goods or other perishables in a weekly farmer market. What you do with the product that doesn't sell at the end of the day? Throw it out? Or sort through it and bring back the same stuff next week if it isn't spoiled, but maybe isn't exactly fresh. Maybe freeze some things if possible.

[Nell57]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

How about the fresh fish?

You know when it’s not.

[Stu from NYC]

The so called fresh fish are normally anything but.

Typically factory ship harvest fish and than flash freeze them. When we see it the fish has been defrosted.

Exception might be farm raised and no idea when the fish would have been shipped from the farm.