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Originally Posted by Keger
I hear/feel a lot of that pain. Maybe being at a newer market close to such a huge city helps in my case, but I fought some of what you describe as well. During the height of the season it all gets very competetive, which is one reason I am hung up on varieties that produce in volume. I do do like the CSA deal. I havent done it, how does it work?
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I supplied 15 families with most of their fresh produce during the growing season through a Community Support Agriculture program. Once a week, starting in late April and ending in early November, each customer comes to the house and picks up a bag or box of very fresh, organically grown produce. At the height the season, a box will typically weigh 25-30 lbs. and contain some 40 varieties of 20 or so types of fruits and veggies. Obviously it takes some time to harvest and organize this much produce, but the customers are very appreciative. They pay at the beginning of the season, which REALLY helps with planning. Early in the season is when I need the extra $ for soil amendments, potting mix, seeds, planting supplies, etc. So it's a win-win situation.
At the risk of getting a bit too personal and self-promoting, I thought I might pass along a copy of what I wrote a couple of months ago to a potential customer (sensitive info. removed):
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Thanks for your interest in ... Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) endeavor! You ... indicated you were interested in learning more about getting a weekly box of fresh produce.
I'm a huge supporter of farmers markets over grocery stores for several reasons:
• Fresh
• Local (support the local community)
• More nutritious
• Fewer health hazards (pesticides, chemical fertilizers, etc.)
• More variety
• Better tasting
But, in my opinion, for some people at least, picking up a weekly CSA share has even more advantages:
• Even fresher (most of what I pick is within 2 hrs. of pickup)
• Even more nutritious (I use all organic methods, including addition of >70 trace minerals to the soil)
• Even more variety (approximately 1,000 total this year)
• A huge time savings for you - just come and pick up the box, filled with the most nutritious food available; depending upon where you live, this could take as few as 15 minutes per week.
• Very cost effective - when all costs are figured in, produce from ... is comparable to grocery store prices and much cheaper than farmers market prices.
• More efficient for the grower - I know what to plan for well in advance; waste is minimized; preparing for, driving to and setting up at market its very time consuming; my time is better spent getting fresh produce ready for exactly when you pick it up.
• Next year I will be doing working shares, where people can help (something I really need...) for a few hours per month on the micro-farm in exchange for a much reduced monetary cost - an arrangement that's especially helpful for those on a tight food budget.
Here's a sample of what our CSA customers are getting this week:
• Tomatoes, 6 lbs., a sampling of 10 varieties from among more than 500
• Artichoke
• Eggplant, 2 varieties of 10
• Peppers, at least 8 varieties of 130
• Squash, 3 varieties of 65
• Cucumbers, 2 varieties of 12
• Potatoes, 2 varieties of 6
• Red Malabar (a summer spinach-like green)
• Lettuce, 6 varieties of 19
• Kale, 3 varieties of 7
• Parsley, oregano, basil, mint, sage, borage, cilantro
• Arugula, Swiss chard
• Celery
• Green beans
• Amaranth
• Ground cherries, 2 varieties
• Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage
• Sweet potato leaves
• Beets, 2 varieties of 8
• Tomatillos
And melons starting next week!
So, for those who are interested in nutrition and healthy eating (whole foods, plant-based diet), this model is hard to beat.
But don't take my word for it. Feel free to call a couple of my current customers - they are expecting calls:
...
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So that's it in a nutshell. When I pick for my CSA customers, I know they will use what I pick and they appreciate my efforts. My efforts are very focused and my time is used efficiently.
When I pick for farmers markets, it's a crap shoot - and I can scarcely tolerate standing around hoping when I could be working. Sales were NEVER brisk.
Oh, I've had plenty of very engaging conversations at market and had a number of repeat customers. I often did at least as well as the "lady in the next booth over". But most consumers buy few if any fresh produce items. Most of us vendors of fresh produce were repeatedly stunned at the poor sales.
And I appreciate what was said about vendors who are obviously not the growers who bring in a rented U-Haul truck full of "fresh" produce and undercut the rest of us on prices. They seem to do just fine, even though they don't seem to know much about what they are offering for sale...
On the other hand, kettle corn, cotton candy, fresh-cooked pizza, popcicles and various value-added products sell like crazy at the market. I wonder - is it really a farmers market or a carnival?
Sorry to come across as negative, but after my first serious year in business, I'm really leaning heavily towards CSA's over farmers markets. That's just me in my circumstances.