Farmer's Market Dilemma

Many farmers’ markets are facing a challenging dilemma; how to retain a “pure” farmer’s market and not morph into a “flea market”. Traditionally an outlet where local farmers can sell locally produced food many farmer’s markets are being overran by non-food items that aren’t even necessarily made locally. “Local verified” signs are popping up at markets in order to assure consumers that the produce was grown locally and not imported from out of state. Sadly, several farmers’ markets around the nation are finding themselves literally imploding due to irreconcilable differences between farmers and non-farming vendors. Bottom line, a farmers’ market is just not a “farmers’ market” without the farmers. Consumers go there to buy fresh local food. A farmers’ market should be a venue where people can go to shop for their area’s freshest seasonal produce and a place to generate business for local farmers. Hopefully farmers’ markets will be able to continue to support a sustainable food system by offering consumers locally grown produce.