Friday, August 08, 2008

Farmer's Markets Getting Hassled?

I guess I don't feel so lonely anymore after finding out I'm not the only one that gets annoyed by the local Farmer's Markets. Not that big a deal. I just don't like them screwing up the parking in Henderson Center each Thursday.

The wife has actually been buying some produce from the Henderson Center Farmer's Market as of late. Not sure why as that's probably the most expensive place to buy produce. They do offer good tasty veggies, though.

I was surprised to learn there are state certified farmer's market inspectors. Equally surprised the farmers are being jerked around and required to file reports with the state on what they sell. Is there nothing that doesn't require a government inspection anymore? The farmers certainly have my sympathy on that issue.


10 Comments:

At 12:18 PM, Blogger Kym said...

Fred, I'm a food nut so I love the market. The chance to taste some heirloom tomatoes and get some early lemon cucumbers is worth a lot of dealing with a little parking difficulty for me.

I buy a lot of produce at the natural food stores in town and find the farmers' market pretty comparable in price.

I love the atmosphere there, too. It feels a little bit like a fair with people smiling and chatting with strangers. Local people with kids shopping and Tasty tidbits and pretty flowers are just extra.

I hope that more people learn how wonderful the markets are.

 
At 1:43 PM, Blogger Rose said...

The Farmer's Markets are an amazing asset, alot of fun to go to. We're lucky to have 'em. I don't go often enough.

 
At 2:29 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

You'd be the first one screaming if you bought some "organic" tomatoes from "Moonbeam" the farmer out of the back of his 72 Chevy truck (converted to solar) and got a really, really bad case of salmonella. Wouldn't you want to know where that little present came from? Isn't that what people are screaming about when they decry the lack of standards for produce coming out of Mexico? (or far Southern California which is now the preferred nomenclature).

 
At 2:46 PM, Blogger Fred Mangels said...

"You'd be the first one screaming...".

Oh, no I wouldn't.

 
At 4:57 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wait. I'm confused. Is food in the local Farmers' Markets inspected for safety in exactly the same way (and just as often) as the food in our grocery stores? As expensive as the Farmers' Market food is to buy, it ought to be at least as safe.

 
At 5:05 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kym said...
Fred, I'm a food nut so I love the market. The chance to taste some heirloom tomatoes and get some early lemon cucumbers is worth a lot of dealing with a little parking difficulty for me.

Well, OK, Kym. But how about disabled people and others who try to get their banking done on Thursday in Henderson Center, or to do business with any of the other businesses we rely on.

Is there an alternative site? A vacant lot? Some parking lot that could be used instead of blocking off the street?

I'm sure it would make the Farmers' Market more popular among people who now must work their personal business around the street closure.

 
At 7:37 PM, Blogger Kym said...

My father is transitioning from a walker to a wheelchair and I know how difficult getting into any business is for the handicapped. I know how his world has shrunk. I want more for him.

Is there someway we could provide not only a place for the handicapped to bank but a way to help them attend the market? That would be ideal. Maybe several spaces closest to the businesses could be designated temporary handicapped parking?

 
At 10:38 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

You don't think the "government" should be responsible for inspecting our food Fred? Wouldn't you scream at them for not doing their job?

 
At 5:54 AM, Blogger Fred Mangels said...

If someone wants to sell fruits and vegetables they've grown in Henderson Center, that's their business and government shouldn't interfere. If you're worried about the safety of those foods, don't buy them. Buy your foods from more conventional sources where they are inspected (and still are contaminated with diseases on occasion).

 
At 10:52 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Can anyone here spell e.coli. There are some pretty good reasons for this paperwork if you are buying food from someone else.

I am just growing my own most of the time and put a lot up for the year. People are getting sick and some dying from e.coli vegetables.

No thank you!

 

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