Aren't farmer's markets supposed to have local food?

CutesBoots

I know a few of the local farms and in my area and tend to shop at their stands from the farmer's market.  But we were there on Sat., and DH asked if we could pick up red peppers from a random stand that were a good price.  He loves red peppers and it was for Valentine's Day, I didn't think anything of it.  Until I washed the peppers, which saw they had "Grown in Mexico" stickers on them.  Doh, not going to that stand again.

CDMay2006

Depends on the farmers market's policies, just like CSAs in northern climates that supplement with nonlocal produce in the winter.

ETA: I wouldn't write off the stand altogether.  They were honest about where the produce came from, right?  Maybe next time ask there policies and consider giving feedback (to them and/or the FM) that you'd like to see more local produce, or signage indicating where items come from, if they aren't local. 

IndiaInk

That's surprising.  It must depend on the individual farmer's market.  At our farmer's market, each stand can only sell products that they grew on their own farm.  A farmer can't even sell another local farmer's goods.  

GRKaters

Our market has some vendors that sell like that, too. They are required to have signage listing where it is from. Some things just aren't grown in MI!

 

derky17

It all depends on the market and their policies.  At our local FM, all sellers are supposed to only sell the goods that they've either grown or made themselves (there are some crafts people at the market as well.) 

There's a bigger, more regional FM also in town whose rules are significantly more lax.  Walking around, you'll see signs that specify "We sell __% of the produce we sell."  Some are as low as 10%, which I avoid like the plague.  The sad thing is that those booths are almost always packed because they have a GREAT location, and their prices are less expensive than others.  It's for that reason that I've stopped frequenting that market, and when I do go (mostly in the summer) I only hit certain vendors.

another KT

Peppers in February, in Pennsylvania?  The only thing I've found that they grow in greenhouses in the winter in our area (Mass) is greens.

SuperGreen

IndiaInk:

That's surprising.  It must depend on the individual farmer's market.  At our farmer's market, each stand can only sell products that they grew on their own farm.  A farmer can't even sell another local farmer's goods.  

Ditto this, it depends on how the market is run.  Our is also producer-only.

I've got to say though, did you really think you were getting local red peppers in February?

CutesBoots

Thanks for the comments.  I will talk to the people that run the stand and see what I can find out.  I normally shop at other stands.

I knew they wouldn't be local, but I was just surprised it wasn't even from this country.  I promise I don't normally buy red peppers in Feb.  It was a one time thing for DH as a Valentine's treat.  We don't exchange chocolate or gifts or anything like that, so he got a pepper.

Meagan1302

The same thing happened to me at the market in MI, there was one stand with TONS of stuff that didn't come from there. Bananas, pineapple, avocados, etc, and much still had tags on it from chiquita , etc. I was not impressed and bought nothing there, I'll buy it at the grocery store if that's what I'm after!

CDMay2006

Meagan1302:

The same thing happened to me at the market in MI, there was one stand with TONS of stuff that didn't come from there. Bananas, pineapple, avocados, etc, and much still had tags on it from chiquita , etc. I was not impressed and bought nothing there, I'll buy it at the grocery store if that's what I'm after!

It's still a local business, which your grocery store probably is not. I don't see why this is a problem for the purveyor... if you have a problem w non-local produce at your FM you should contact the board.

elviebird

Most of the vendors at my local market are local farmers, but a few are resellers... although I think the farthest away I've seen produce from is Tennessee (I'm in Atlanta).  I don't really mind, but I hate that none of the vendors are required to label where they are and where the food is from.  I had to ask everyone the first time I went to figure out who I wanted to support.  The only problem is that the resellers have slightly lower prices and a bigger selection, so lots of people buy from them without asking where it's from.  I try hard to patronize the small, local farmers instead.

Jen&Joe06

Our farmers market has stands like that. Makes it hard for the local stands to compete when the prices are way cheaper with the imported produce.