Study Finds Organic Foods to be More Affordable at Farmers' Markets

[DynamicBalance]

When I advocate for buying more food from local farmers, one of the common responses I get is along the lines of, "Local food is an expensive luxury that most of us can't afford." The reality is that local food is affordable, and in many cases can be more affordable. The convenience of buying everything you need at the supermarket comes with a higher price tag, both literally and figuratively.

We are lucky to have one of the most jammin' farmers' markets around - the Saturday Santa Rosa FM at the Veteran's Memorial Building (8:30 am - noon). At this market you can find naturally-produced meats, eggs, and cheese, wild-caught seafood, olive oil, a wide variety of veggies and fruits, condiments, and a variety of other value-added products. Check it out!

Laurel Blair, NTP
www.dynamicbalancenutrition.com

New Study Compares Prices at Farmers' Markets and Supermarkets

Excerpt:

It’s getting harder and harder to be an elitist these days.

We’re all familiar with the accepted gospel: Only well-heeled food snobs can afford the exorbitant prices charged for those attractively displayed baby greens and heirloom tomatoes at farmers’ markets, while those who can’t afford such greener-than-thou food-purchasing decisions must paw through limp broccoli, wilted lettuce, and tennis-ball tomatoes at supermarket produce departments.

It may come as a surprise that there has been virtually no formal studies to support this widely accepted contention, and the few studies that have been conducted call its veracity into question.

A report released earlier this year by Jake Robert Claro, a graduate student at Bard College’s Center for Environmental Policy who did the study for the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, found that prices at farmers’ markets were lower for many conventionally produced grocery items than they were at supermarkets. For organic items, farmers’ markets beat grocery stores every time hands down.

“We’re starting to see enough competition among vendors at farmers’ markets that the prices are becoming competitive,” said Claro in an interview.

[zenekar]

When I advocate for buying more food from local farmers, one of the common responses I get is along the lines of, "Local food is an expensive luxury that most of us can't afford." The reality is that local food is affordable, and in many cases can be more affordable. The convenience of buying everything you need at the supermarket comes with a higher price tag, both literally and figuratively. ....

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Also, support local old school family farms like Imwalle Gardens in Santa Rosa, W. 3rd between Dutton and Stony Point Rd. Generally better prices than farmers' markets. Not all organic but fresh produce. In the summer and fall you can buy organic corn, peppers, tomatoes, squashes, greens and more at low prices, that are grown on the farm. As you can see in the video, they have vegetable and floral plants for sale in their nursery. Check it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG-XwMOPBSo