Drawing Diary: Why I'm Not a Farmer's Market Person

I love your notion about cash being king. And these comments made me remember there's a smaller farmer's market that is less scene-y that I do enjoy. But I also am very close to two superlative supermarkets - Berkeley Bowl - that have truly local, gorgeous, organic produce. And shopping carts.
I drew this on a day when I was feeling especially contrary (knowing that in the whole scheme of things, bitching about a crowded farmers' market in Northern California shows me how good I have it).

Eileen :: http://ferociousintrovert.blogspot.com/

I guess I am spoiled here in New Mexico. I go on Sunday mornings to the Corrales Growers Market and it is a wonderful relaxing adventure! It is outdoors and the vendors are local people. You know their farms and their produce and get to know them each week. I can taste things and interact and ask questions. To me, it is a wonderful experience and I would much prefer this to shopping in the supermarket. I bring my own fabric bags or a basket and I am good to go!

Hope you can find another market that will give you a better experience.
Cece

Cece-one of The Two Whos

http://www.thetwowhos.com

Heehee. I actually sell my granola at a farmer's market, but I have to agree that you are right on about some of the vendors. I have found fabulous deals on produce at the end of the day but I also study which people sell their own produce and which vendors sell other people's mysterious origin produce... It definitely pays to study up and ask questions. Also, don't be afraid to offer a different price- cash is king and people cannot keep their perishable goods. Supply and demand will dictate of they will bend on prices, so give it a try!

I also giggle at my grocery store. They have 'locally grown' signs over much of the produce and then directly underneath this, comically small signs that say 'grown in Mexico' or 'grown in Paraguay'- I guess this means that this hemisphere is local?!

If you're seeing Blue Bottle Coffee, then you're probably at the Ferry Building, right? There are many other farmers markets in the Bay Area that are not as huge, and also less expensive. I recommend trying one of those - folk in San Francisco can recommend other good ones.

It's true that if you want a supermarket experience, the farmers market may not be for you. But if you can handle bringing your own bags, many farmers markets have better produce than the supermarket at decent prices, especially if you shop for produce at the height of season.