Farmers' Market Variations
Today in society it has become a popular trend for people to shop organically. We now know in more detail what kinds of things are going into our foods, and more and more people choose to shop at farmers' markets to get organic, environmentally friendly, produce. Contrary to popular belief, "research has shown that food at farmers’
markets costs less than the same item in supermarkets and
growers can gain higher returns compared with selling via
wholesalers, distributors or retailers to whom a share of profits
would accrue" (Tong). Locations and times of different markets within local areas (within city limits for this article) are tested and mapped in order to see where and when they are chosen to take place.
Interestingly, within the city it shows that all of the markets are held within the northern part of the county line. It is also shown that the markets are being held mostly within the afternoon and evening times, with only two weekend options. This would make it very difficult for a person who lives in the southern portion of the city limits who works a 9-5 job. Commuting and rushing to get to their local market might just take more energy, gas, and traveling that would have the opposite effect of doing good for the environment. The article concludes tat much work is needed to plan and hold famers' markets in order to create a space for all people of the county to be able to attend more easily.
Tong, D., Ren, F., & Mack, J. (2012). Locating farmers’ markets with an incorporation of spatio-temporal variation. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 46(2), 149-156.
It would be cool to see the rise of farmers markets across the US over the past 50 years. I went to one recently and was surprised about the variety of items, goods, and products being sold there.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be helpful to know which state/area this is in, and then it may be interesting to compare this data with other states and their farmer's market availability.
ReplyDeleteThis also could be portrayed as an interesting economic concept. Opportunity cost is comparing something you're doing to the next best thing. For partaking in a task, you have to take in all factors, such as gas money to travel, and the time spent commuting to the location. So for people in the south, the opportunity cost of going to the farmers market might just be too high, when compared to going to the local grocery store closer to where they live.
ReplyDeleteI would be very curious to see the demographic of people who are living in the areas with more farmers market and how that compares from the north and south regions.
ReplyDeleteIs this consistent across the US? In Minneapolis, I have seen a fairly even distribution of farmers markets.
ReplyDelete