Letter To The Editor: December 2008
I want to thank the people of Jefferson County and Port Townsend for supporting our local farmers markets.
In response to Mary Davies' recent column asking why prices at the Farmers Market are often higher than at the Food Co-op, I would like to challenge that presumption. As a farmer, I keep track of prices at both Safeway and the Food Co-op, and find that I am often charging the same or less than what's charged for mass-produced, non-organic produce. If the prices are higher, it is not that the target buyer is a tourist; it is that we Americans are used to paying low prices due to mass production, exploitation of migrant workers and government subsidies. Your dollar spent at the Port Townsend Farmers Market is helping a local farm family earn a living wage, grow really fresh produce brought practically to your door step. In fact, you should pay more to have produce picked less than a day earlier, packed and brought to market. (Read More)
Friday, December 12, 2008
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1 comment:
The fees charged by the Farmer's Market also cause the prices to be higher. The Farmer's market makes 15% on each & every sale. The farmer or craftsperson must increase his price by 15% to compensate for that loss.
Let's not present the FM as being a benefactor to the Farmer. It's a business. It is not non-profit. I profits on the backs of the vendors.
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