Comments on: Farmer’s Market Costs vs. Grocery Store Costs

By: Eating Local and Organic can be Cost-Effective :: Eating Rules

Eating Local and Organic can be Cost-Effective :: Eating Rules — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:03:51 +0000

[...] Read More: The Cost Difference Between Farmers Market and the Grocery Store [...]

By: mari @ Secrets of a Kitchen Wizard

mari @ Secrets of a Kitchen Wizard — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:56:32 +0000

Great comparison! Is this in VT or FL? I found the price of produce in CA much cheaper than other part of the country. (Instead we pay a lot more for housing price!) Next time you come to the Bay Area, I have to take you to Berkeley Bowl, where you can buy all these produce for a fraction of price you listed. You may have even bigger smile on your face! (<- you are so like me, to get so excited by a head of cabbage! We must be twins!)

By: Krista

Krista — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:55:31 +0000

Just came across your site today… love what you are doing here.

As a mom trying to balance nutrition, budget, and time constraints, I appreciate Peter’s perspective on families. Even if it costs less, it is a challenge to get out on multiple shopping trips, or to do much price comparing while either juggling kids or taking advantage of a brief child-free outing. Time is a commodity that sometimes outweighs money and extreme nutrition.

But I am open to the challenge of building FM’s into my routine, and love how possible you make it sound that I CAN have it all: Spend less, on better food, and get healthier too!

By: Aggie

Aggie — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:26:52 +0000

I just recently discovered your blog, and am thrilled because I feel like a “geek” at times too. I grew up in Flagler (not far from you!) and went to the Friday Farmer’s Market with my grandfather or mother every week! I now live in Sanford, and am so happy that they have a growing market as well. So anyway…all I can say is that I can relate to your fabulous find and appreciate the article!!!

By: kittie

kittie — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:47:33 +0000

I do love the farmer’s market – though they have become so chic here that they are not always cheaper. My favourite places to shop are still the ethnic grocers and small retailers near my flat!

Big ups to the food geek in us all ;D A colleague recently commented to me that he had “never seen anyone get so excited over a squid” after I managed to get one from my fishmongers!

By: susan chastain hulbert

susan chastain hulbert — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:30:36 +0000

Great post! I’m not very good at cost comparisons — I used to be an accountant, and that’s too much like work for me!- so this is very informative because I wasn’t sure if I was saving money or not. And you made a good point about it being fresher – I hadn’t thought of that.

We have a great Farmer’s Market in Santa Monica, and I can start going again now that my Friday art class finishes tomorrow. Maybe you already know about this, but Evan Kleinman podcasts from the SM market on kcrw – here’s a link where you can find the podcasts – http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/gf. She often interviews the farmers about their produce and great dishes to make.

By: candyce

candyce — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:39:39 +0000

i love this comparison shopping guide. seems that most think of organic as being expensive. but to buy certain organic items is sometimes more cost-effective, and of course, much higher quality.
thanks! i’ll use your post as a guideline.

By: katy

katy — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:21:18 +0000

I agree — I almost uniformly get better prices at the farmer’s market too. And where the prices are a bit higher, the superior quality more than makes up for it!

By: Gavan

Gavan — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:19:15 +0000

The prices are definately better at the farmers’ markets but it’s also a great social thing. I’m lucky here in LA that I have a market on everyday in various parts of the city. It’s great too as you get to know the farmers and see the same people at all the markets. It’s really important to keep supporting them.

By: Judy

Judy — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:29:32 +0000

I sent Mike all the information about local CSA’s and Farmer’s MArket that I got from http://www.localharvest.org/. This is a huge database of all of the locations around the US. Anyone interested give it a peek!

By: The Leftover Queen

The Leftover Queen — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:39:23 +0000

I guess we are the lucky ones, Melissa, that our FM are cheaper than the grocery store. I am surprised and saddened to hear that is not the case everywhere. I would think if you cut out the middle man, you would bring down the prices. Doesn’t seem right, does it? And the freshness is unbeatable – more bang for yur buck, I’d say!

Hmmmm…I used to live in Ocala, Mike. Actually there was a move to have a FM on the grounds of city hall…but the crazy thing is that they couldn’t get any farmers….weird. But there is great produce to be found all along the road to Palatka. It is a bit of a drive, but probably worth it. Also, there are some fruit and veg markets around town…

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 01:45:24 +0000

That’s really something! I always had a misperception about farmer’s markets as costing more, but those observations make it pretty clear. I really need to find something comparable around here (Ocala, FL *waves* )…call me jealous