Schedule Changes Not Communicated: I arrive at the farmers market right on time. There are other customers there waiting to buy produce. I go up to one of the tables and ask them about pickling cucumbers. I pick out two pints and begin to purchase. The lady tells me I cannot buy them. They are not opened yet. The schedule indicated 3:00pm as the start time. It's 3:20pm. What do you mean you're not open?!? You should have already been open for 20 minutes! She informed me that during the school year, they start at 3:30pm. A sign explaining this would have been very informative! I stood there for 10 minutes as the other customers looked at me like an amateur.
- Of course we spray! Do you know what these peaches would look like if we did not spray?!? (My thoughts: Yes, I know what they look like, I just bought some organic peaches at Whole Foods. They were pretty and delicious!)
- Yes, we use the least amount of spray needed. There is no way around it! (My thoughts: That is what you believe, but what about the guy right over there that has not sprayed half of his crop?)
- I spray the tomatoes with copper. (My thoughts: I do not know if copper on tomatoes is good or bad, but my intuition tells me that this does not sound right. "Honey, would you like some tomatoes with copper? They're amazing!")
I am not trying to downplay the hard work the farmers put into growing their crops. For most of them, if not all of them, farming is their only source of income. Pesticides are used to produce more results and make more money. However, there are farmers out there that are using organic methods successfully. I will continue on my journey to find those organic farmers.
If you have the same experiences at farmers markets as me, then my advice is to visit them more frequently, get to know the farmers, and you will feel less stupid asking questions. Local buying is all about knowing where your food comes from. Local buying is a great way to avoid Genetically Modified (GMO) crops. Building a relationship with the farmers will help you understand their growing practices and feel more confident about the food you are eating.