New Haven Independent

Posted by: westvillecairns | July 23, 2009 12:59 PM

I fundamentally believe in Farmer's Markets, but I have to say they are not for the budget-minded. I frequent the market in Westville, and it is a bit like going to a food museum because I cannot justify paying twice what I pay in supermarkets for essentially the same product. The Westville market now has an upscale baker with exorbitant prices. Example: one pear tart, whose dimension is approximately 2" in diameter, $4.00. The vegetables, while beautiful and plentiful, are similarly overpriced. The bread concession's breads are typically $4 to $5. Who are we serving here? I have begun a personal boycott until this stops being a yuppie haven meet and greet.

Posted by: Patrick B. | July 23, 2009 1:47 PM

@ Westvillecairns,

Try woostersquare. This year most of the farmers there are organic. I can easily buy 2 weeks worth of fresh produce for $40. Somethings only last a week like fruits, but thats understandable because we eat a lot of fruit.

Some farmers markets are more expensive than the grocery store, like Madisons, however it depends on what you are buying too. If you are going to compare costs, compare grocery store prices for organic foods compared to that of the farmers markets.

Also, consider that it is more nurtritious for you to each organic versus non-organic. Fruits and vegetables tend to have more nutrition compared to that or non-organic from a grocery store.

I look at the cost of food based on its nutirional value. For instance, you can find soy milk and organic cow milk to be the same price, but since the soy milk has more nutrition in it, its cheaper to buy the soy milk than the cow milk, because you are getting more for your money. The same applies to farmers markets, especially since farmers markets are comprised of local farmers; the food has less travel to get to your plate than the case would be in a food market.

Posted by: Mark Oppenheimer | July 23, 2009 1:50 PM

WestvilleCairns has a point about the prices--I definitely sympathize. For the sake of clarity, though, we should point out the high prices aren't the result of price gouging by the local or CT-based farmers. Rather, they probably reflect a) supply and demand (obviously some people are willing to pay for the artisanal or local breads), and b) the real cost of running a smaller-scale regional operation. The supermarket produce is usually produced by large corporate farms that, yes, can be more "efficient," especially since their transportation costs are heavily subsidized by our tax dollars in the form of federal highway moneys -- directed away from states like CT to midwestern states with powerful senators who support our stupid farm bills and idiotic transportation bills -- and the pollution costs of such long-distance transport are born by the population along the routes (and everyone who breathes air). That said, yes, it's true: especially in hard times, we all have to think twice about where to spend our money, and expensive food is a luxury. It's a pickle, so to speak.

Posted by: jim | July 23, 2009 2:00 PM

westvillecairns, I don't fully agree with you. while i do think that you have to watch what you buy, i find the quality and taste, superior to what i find in a major grocery market - and the breads are a thousand times better then any major bread company. I frequent the westville farmers market too, but they will definitely see me at the State Street market, if for nothing else then the baked goods from Chestnut Fine Foods. He makes the BEST breads, and I just love all the delicious food they have in the case. I can't wait!!!! My stomach is growling in anticipation.

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | July 23, 2009 2:15 PM

The farmers markets are far too expensive. 40 years ago, local produce in summer was usually cheaper than the stores.

Nowadays, I can get 2 weeks of fresh produce for 4 people in a major supermarket for well under $20. $40 in a farmer's market? Outrageous.

Frankly, I don't want to spend more just to make me feel good about produce whose prices -- and often quality -- are not particularly stellar.

Posted by: Johnny Scafidi | July 23, 2009 2:40 PM

This is great for the East Rock neighborhood and will hopefully create some good foot traffic for merchants along State Street. My family will continue to shop at Wooster Square's CitySeed market because we've established a strong relationship with several of those farmers. Westvillecairns - we've effectively replaced our grocery store with the farmer's market and are actually saving money - probably because we rely less on prepared/packaged foods, rethought our portions, and get creative with seasonal offerings. For those who are concerned with the equity issues surrounding farmer's markets, get involved with the New Haven Food Policy council and/or advocate for federal subsidies to move away from industrial farms and towards small, low-radius distribution operations. Though I'm sad that the markets will run concurrently, I am happy that my neighborhood will benefit from the social aspects of a market and that more people will be introduced to the concept of buying locally. This is a great location - good income diversity in the immediate area, seniors living nearby who can walk, etc. Hopefully, CitySeed and Upper State (2 great organizations) can work together in the future to support the use of WIC vouchers at this venue to help integrate the neighborhood in a meaningful way.

Posted by: robn | July 23, 2009 4:00 PM

Why is it that only in New Haven do organizations bent on doing good inevitably go to war with one another...i.e. farmers markets, arts organizations, social services, etc...???/

Posted by: Streever | July 23, 2009 4:25 PM

Robn:
Who is going to war? You are the first one to suggest that about East Rock farmer's market.

The Wooster Square market attracts shoppers from all over the city, requiring a police officer to regulate the cars. I hardly think a small farmers market for the East Rock neighborhood is going to "war" them and I can honestly say that is in no way our intention.

Choices for consumers are a good thing--an extra coffee shop, an extra market, an extra grocery store--and if you look at the corporate philosophy of chain restaurants, you'll see healthy competition improves all business.

Posted by: Common Sense | July 23, 2009 7:17 PM

"The expanse of farmland around East Rock, part of which is now the State Street commercial corridor, used to be known as Goatville."

It is still known as "Goatville" by many of the old timers and their children (now adults)who lived in the area. Whose idea was it to give it the name "East Rock"? Other neighborhoods in the city have also lost their identity over the years. Refer to it as Goatville an reeducated the new tenents of the area of its past history.

Posted by: Brian V | July 23, 2009 8:32 PM

THIS IS GREAT FOR EAST ROCK & NEW HAVEN!

How can anyone complain? What is the down side?
Too expensive? Then don't shop there. Let the invisible hand of the market dictate if there is a need. -I bet there is.

GREAT JOB- Fred, Melissa(of USSA), and Ben

Posted by: JSJ | July 24, 2009 7:52 AM

WestvilleCairns is correct. The prices are a bit on the crazy side. If you'd like to get a look at exactly how market-driven the prices are, stop by when the vendors are breaking down their stands and see how much wilted produce they're carting back to their compost heaps. You'll be surprised.

Patrick B- there's no evidence that organic produce is significantly more nutritious than its conventionally-grown counterparts.

Posted by: Margaret | July 24, 2009 9:30 AM

Thanks to Mark Oppenheimer for the thoughtful comment on the true costs of supermarket food. While you are at it, don't forget to factor in the cost for petroleum-based fertilizers, drought and taste-resistant genetically modified-hybrids from labs, and all that delicious pesticide!

Posted by: Ned | July 24, 2009 10:24 AM

Common Sense:
Whose idea was it to give it the name "East Rock"?
Answer: REALTORS. It makes it easy for potential buyers, and transient grad student renters to locate the area.
East Rock: Any street North of Trumbull St., that is served by the Yale Shuttle.

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | July 24, 2009 11:42 AM

My answer to Brian V, who clearly has too much excess disposable income floating around his pockets:

Too expensive? Lower prices.

Posted by: anthony | July 24, 2009 1:08 PM

CANT WAIT!!!!

Posted by: Morris Cover | July 24, 2009 3:05 PM

Good for East Rock! Err, Goatville, that is. I've often thought Morris Cove would do well with a farmer's market, especially along the Seawall or in one of the park areas, but I've never heard any plans to bring one there. Perhaps not enough support? Are there any other Morris Cove residents out there that would be interested in this?

Posted by: Walt | July 26, 2009 6:53 AM

Chestnut Foods is apparently not a farmer.

Koffee is not a farmer.

Craft makers or sellers are not farmers.

Killam and Bassette may be farmers. Is there an actual farm owned by them in South Glastonbury, or are they agents?

Where are "locally grown" eggs, beef,maple syrup,pork, honey and flowers really grown? Must be a lot of farms annd ranches hidden around town or in nearby suburbs.

Even calling stuff from South Glastonbury "locally grown" is quite a stretch.

Perhaps I misunderstand the concept.

Not against the idea, but it seems just another marketing ploy .

Posted by: Noelle | July 26, 2009 2:00 PM

I wish that the Goatville market picked another day. I would love for there to be a market on every day of the week in New Haven.

Posted by: sjbj | July 27, 2009 9:35 AM

Having rejected produce at Shaw's this weekend that was from SOUTH AFRICA (just think of the resources that it takes to get produce from there to here!), I hardly think it's a stretch to consider South Glastonbury "local".

Posted by: James Velvet | July 30, 2009 7:21 PM

Shame on The Independent for copying the cheap sensationalism of The New Haven Register. By re-circulating the sour-grapes, unsubstantiated claims of Killam & Basette as first written in the Register, The Independent helps sow seeds of discontent in the local Farmers' Market community.
City Seed's record of visionary hard work and organization in bringing Connecticut-grown, healthy food to the New Haven Community (including pre-schoolers, school children, and WIC and Food Stamp recipients) is a matter of record. They've done the Elm City an enormous service.
Surely The Independent, with a little bit of effort, could have written a better, truth-based, and enlightening back-story about the opening of a brand new, volunteer-run neighborhood market?