Farmer's market vs. Supermarket - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

skizziks · 09-27-2008, 07:37 PM

You always hear the people on the food channel talk about fresh ingredients, you read it in all the cookbooks, etc etc.

I have the luck and luxury of a local farmer's market, and I got some red onions and some eggplant (and other stuff) and I gotta say...

FARMER'S MARKET PRODUCE KICKS ASS!!!!

I make lots of baba ganouj, (eggplant) and it tasted a zillion times better with the locally grown eggplant. It wasn't just me, others who ate it also said it tasted better.

The local eggplant had taste, the supermarket eggplants, while I thought they had taste, now taste like Styrofoam.

Same with the red onions. I love red onions, but the local ones were so much sweeter.

So, I can attest to the fact that, a huge part of making a tasty meal is the freshness of the ingredients. If you have access to a farmer's market, by all means, USE IT.

The only downside is, now I am suspect of the food at the supermarket, and I think I'm missing out on flavor in produce I can't get locally grown.

Charlatan · 09-27-2008, 07:44 PM

Flavour is all about the ingredients and Farmer's markets offer some of the freshest and tastiest options.

It's one of the frustrating things about living where I do. There is so little that is locally produced. The vast majority of food has to be imported and the quality suffers (unless you are able to afford the best of the best).

Everyone should get down to their local farmer's market and support it. You will be astounded at the produce.

Cynthetiq · 09-27-2008, 07:51 PM

NYC Greenmarket locations

Quote:

Greenmarket promotes regional agriculture and ensures a continuing supply of fresh, local produce for New Yorkers. Greenmarket has organized and managed open-air farmers markets in NYC since 1976. Greenmarket supports farmers and preserves farmland for the future by providing regional small family farmers with opportunities to sell their fruits, vegetables and other farm products to New Yorkers.

Buy Local
Eating locally grown food is nothing new. A hundred years ago, over 95% of Americans lived on farms. City dwellers ate food brought by horse and cart from nearby farms. In the 1800s, Brooklyn was the top producing agricultural county in the US. In the 20th century, farms moved west and many local farms were paved over. By the 1970s, New Yorkers complained of brown lettuce and hard tomatoes while local farms went bankrupt. Greenmarket was a natural solution to a two-fold problem: by selling their homegrown crops in New York City, local farms could stay in business and bring fresh food to city neighborhoods. What began with twelve farmers in an empty lot in 1976 has grown into the largest network of its kind in the country, with rigorous "grow-your-own" standards.

Greenmarkets in NYC rock! I just can't get there early enough. The Union Square market does brisk business and the famous chefs can be seen there early in the morning getting their vegetables.

When we travel to other countries, and cities, it is one of the most important things we look for as part of the local culture and flavor. We got to regular supermarkets, but green markets and wet markets are a real flavor of the location you are visiting, giving insight to how the locals live.

BadNick · 09-27-2008, 07:53 PM

Agreed. Fresh local produce is the best, especially when you know it was grown with care and concern for health and wellbeing of the consumers; same for locally grown meats. And the whole process is so good for the local economy, as well as environmental benefits with reduced emissions from transporting foodstuffs half way across the country.

Fortunately, we have a few to choose from within reasonable distance of here...a couple I can walk to.

Martian · 09-28-2008, 12:12 AM

I love the farmer's market here in town. The produce is better and cheaper than anything I've ever gotten at the grocery store.

Cynthetiq · 09-28-2008, 04:17 PM

as part of my Food Industry tracker, I got this in my inbox this morning.

Quote:

View: There were 4,685 farmers markets in the U.S. in August 2008, reported USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). This represents a 6.8% increase since mid-August 2006, when AMS reported 4,385 farmers markets nationwide.
Source: AMS
posted with the TFP thread generator

There were 4,685 farmers markets in the U.S. in August 2008, reported USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). This represents a 6.8% increase since mid-August 2006, when AMS reported 4,385 farmers markets nationwide.
AMS 173-08

Joan Shaffer (202) 720-8998
joan.shaffer@usda.gov
Billy Cox (202) 720-8998
billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2008 – The number of farmers markets in the United States continues to grow, reports USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), reaching a total of 4,685 in August 2008. This represents a 6.8 percent increase since mid-August 2006, when AMS reported 4,385 farmers markets nationwide.

“More and more consumers are discovering the wide array of fresh, locally grown produce available at farmers markets,” said AMS Administrator Lloyd Day. “Another reason for their popularity is food buyers like the opportunity to interact with the producers.” Day pointed out since 1994, when AMS began to track farmers markets, the number of farmers markets nationwide has grown by nearly 3,000.

AMS focuses on direct-to-consumer marketing issues and continually updates a comprehensive list of U.S. farmers markets. The database can be accessed on-line at AMS at USDA - Farmers Markets Query Page.

In March, AMS launched its survey, contacting State Departments of Agriculture, state farmers market associations and other direct marketing organizations for information on the 2008 market season. The deadline was July 1.

AMS will continue to update the National Directory of Farmers Markets Web site. New information about markets and market contacts should be sent to Velma Lakins, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, at velma.lakins@usda.gov. Additional background information on recent market trends is available at Agricultural Marketing Service - Farmers Markets.

AMS also supports farmers markets by conducting research on emerging trends in farmers’ market operations and practices. AMS also publishes reference material for distribution to farm vendors, farmers’ market managers and interested members of the general public.

AMS coordinates the operation of seasonal farmers markets at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C., and works with the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Carver Office Building in Beltsville, Md. and the Bannister Federal Complex in Kansas City, MO., to help support their farmers markets.

AMS staff analyzes the feasibility of planned renovation or the construction of projects at several types of food market facilities, including farmers markets. AMS also develops conceptual designs of facilities, estimating costs and assessing expected levels of market patronage. Typically such research is carried out in concert with state or local governments or non-profit agencies.

Daval · 09-30-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martian

I love the farmer's market here in town. The produce is better and cheaper than anything I've ever gotten at the grocery store.

Which market do you go to Martian?

snowy · 09-30-2008, 10:23 AM

I have tried--barring other engagements--to make it to the farmer's market every Saturday this season. I've done pretty well and only missed a couple. What really blows us away are the local heirloom tomatoes. We've been buying at least 2 lbs of heirlooms a week and putting them in salads, in sandwiches, and eating them plain with salt and fresh ground pepper. We typically do the majority of our shopping for produce at the farmer's market; we easily spend at least $20/week there. We live in an area that is really at the forefront of the local food/slow food movement and is also a good agricultural area. At the market, we buy not only produce, but salsa, bread, jam, and honey.

Here you can see some photos of the bounty of our market: Flickr: Market Friends content tagged with corvallis

Lucky for us--the bounty doesn't go away come winter, it just relocates; there's an indoor winter market that runs almost all winter and features some of the best apple cider I've ever had. Though the selection at the indoor winter market isn't as bountiful as the outdoor summer market for obvious reasons, we can still get all of our favorite heirloom potatoes (that's right, heirloom potatoes!) and other root veggies, as well as that delicious apple cider and artisanal local sourdough.

There is no greater pleasure to me than shopping at a farmer's market. Seriously. As a foodie, it is paradise.

09-27-2008, 07:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
skizziks Insane Location: out west	Farmer's market vs. Supermarket You always hear the people on the food channel talk about fresh ingredients, you read it in all the cookbooks, etc etc. I have the luck and luxury of a local farmer's market, and I got some red onions and some eggplant (and other stuff) and I gotta say... FARMER'S MARKET PRODUCE KICKS ASS!!!! I make lots of baba ganouj, (eggplant) and it tasted a zillion times better with the locally grown eggplant. It wasn't just me, others who ate it also said it tasted better. The local eggplant had taste, the supermarket eggplants, while I thought they had taste, now taste like Styrofoam. Same with the red onions. I love red onions, but the local ones were so much sweeter. So, I can attest to the fact that, a huge part of making a tasty meal is the freshness of the ingredients. If you have access to a farmer's market, by all means, USE IT. The only downside is, now I am suspect of the food at the supermarket, and I think I'm missing out on flavor in produce I can't get locally grown.

09-27-2008, 07:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	Flavour is all about the ingredients and Farmer's markets offer some of the freshest and tastiest options. It's one of the frustrating things about living where I do. There is so little that is locally produced. The vast majority of food has to be imported and the quality suffers (unless you are able to afford the best of the best). Everyone should get down to their local farmer's market and support it. You will be astounded at the produce. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

09-28-2008, 12:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	I love the farmer's market here in town. The produce is better and cheaper than anything I've ever gotten at the grocery store. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

09-30-2008, 10:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	I have tried--barring other engagements--to make it to the farmer's market every Saturday this season. I've done pretty well and only missed a couple. What really blows us away are the local heirloom tomatoes. We've been buying at least 2 lbs of heirlooms a week and putting them in salads, in sandwiches, and eating them plain with salt and fresh ground pepper. We typically do the majority of our shopping for produce at the farmer's market; we easily spend at least $20/week there. We live in an area that is really at the forefront of the local food/slow food movement and is also a good agricultural area. At the market, we buy not only produce, but salsa, bread, jam, and honey. Here you can see some photos of the bounty of our market: Flickr: Market Friends content tagged with corvallis Lucky for us--the bounty doesn't go away come winter, it just relocates; there's an indoor winter market that runs almost all winter and features some of the best apple cider I've ever had. Though the selection at the indoor winter market isn't as bountiful as the outdoor summer market for obvious reasons, we can still get all of our favorite heirloom potatoes (that's right, heirloom potatoes!) and other root veggies, as well as that delicious apple cider and artisanal local sourdough. There is no greater pleasure to me than shopping at a farmer's market. Seriously. As a foodie, it is paradise. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

09-27-2008, 07:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
BadNick Riding the Ocean Spray Location: S.E. PA in U Sofa	Agreed. Fresh local produce is the best, especially when you know it was grown with care and concern for health and wellbeing of the consumers; same for locally grown meats. And the whole process is so good for the local economy, as well as environmental benefits with reduced emissions from transporting foodstuffs half way across the country. Fortunately, we have a few to choose from within reasonable distance of here...a couple I can walk to.