Comments on: Local Food: Use it or lose it http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/local-food-use-it-or-lose-it/archives/214 Facts, opinions and reflections on being a techno-geek granolarancher Mom Sun, 01 Aug 2010 09:05:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Sara http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/local-food-use-it-or-lose-it/archives/214#comment-9917 Sara Sun, 04 Oct 2009 13:36:28 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/local-food-use-it-or-lose-it/archives/214#comment-9917 Ross: Excellent points. I do have a subscription program, and those core customers are critical. The markets are a great pickup point, and sometimes I just view them as places to generate additional customers. Convenience will always be important. I package in small amounts, and constantly try to find what works for the customers. I just made a couple visits to some local-friendly grocery outlets, too, in an effort to get at least some product in the hands of consumers during their regular shopping. Ross: Excellent points. I do have a subscription program, and those core customers are critical. The markets are a great pickup point, and sometimes I just view them as places to generate additional customers.
Convenience will always be important. I package in small amounts, and constantly try to find what works for the customers. I just made a couple visits to some local-friendly grocery outlets, too, in an effort to get at least some product in the hands of consumers during their regular shopping.

]]> By: Ross Hunter http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/local-food-use-it-or-lose-it/archives/214#comment-9886 Ross Hunter Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:39:24 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/local-food-use-it-or-lose-it/archives/214#comment-9886 I think the answer is we make our markets where we can. In the end I don't think all of America drives out to the farmer's market, I think the food will come to us, one way or another. I can't make it to the market tomorrow so I've asked someone else to pick up some things for me. Meanwhile I have neighbors here in Georgetown who drive to a market in Austin to buy farm food. Obviously I need to organize my neighborhood so only one person needs to drive to Florence to buy food for all. And you farmers need to have subscribers - people similar to investors really - who will guarantee a market for your crop, and who will stay with you in good season and bad, in order to keep you in business and to guarantee that they can put wholesome food on their tables. It's a matter of re-arranging the economics of how we grow and buy food more than anything else, in my opinion. I think the answer is we make our markets where we can. In the end I don’t think all of America drives out to the farmer’s market, I think the food will come to us, one way or another.

I can’t make it to the market tomorrow so I’ve asked someone else to pick up some things for me. Meanwhile I have neighbors here in Georgetown who drive to a market in Austin to buy farm food.

Obviously I need to organize my neighborhood so only one person needs to drive to Florence to buy food for all.

And you farmers need to have subscribers - people similar to investors really - who will guarantee a market for your crop, and who will stay with you in good season and bad, in order to keep you in business and to guarantee that they can put wholesome food on their tables.

It’s a matter of re-arranging the economics of how we grow and buy food more than anything else, in my opinion.

]]> By: Sara http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/local-food-use-it-or-lose-it/archives/214#comment-9739 Sara Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:29:15 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/local-food-use-it-or-lose-it/archives/214#comment-9739 Jenny: On behalf of your vendors, thanks! I know I appreciate the things like that done on our behalf (thanks, Rick!). The reality of smaller town farmer's markets is that many of our vendors have $100 days. Because of that, few are full-time farmers, and are less likely to be long-term vendors. Jenny: On behalf of your vendors, thanks! I know I appreciate the things like that done on our behalf (thanks, Rick!).
The reality of smaller town farmer’s markets is that many of our vendors have $100 days. Because of that, few are full-time farmers, and are less likely to be long-term vendors.

]]> By: Jenny @ Nourished Kitchen http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/local-food-use-it-or-lose-it/archives/214#comment-9715 Jenny @ Nourished Kitchen Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:41:54 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/local-food-use-it-or-lose-it/archives/214#comment-9715 As a market manager I work my butt off to ensure that customers keep coming out to make markets worthwhile for vendors and when the market inevitably slows come September / October, I do little extras that make our market pleasant for the vendors: bringing them warm apple cider on cold days, introducing new customers to established vendors etc. We're fortunate that our food producers average between $1200 and $2000 a day. I think I'd cry if a rancher or farmer turned up with only $75! As a market manager I work my butt off to ensure that customers keep coming out to make markets worthwhile for vendors and when the market inevitably slows come September / October, I do little extras that make our market pleasant for the vendors: bringing them warm apple cider on cold days, introducing new customers to established vendors etc. We’re fortunate that our food producers average between $1200 and $2000 a day. I think I’d cry if a rancher or farmer turned up with only $75!

]]> By: Ranger Rick http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/local-food-use-it-or-lose-it/archives/214#comment-9714 Ranger Rick Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:51:14 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/local-food-use-it-or-lose-it/archives/214#comment-9714 Great point, Sara, and well taken. I need to lead with what you're saying to my public audience. And I will next week for sure!! Great point, Sara, and well taken. I need to lead with what you’re saying to my public audience. And I will next week for sure!!

]]> By: Sam http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/local-food-use-it-or-lose-it/archives/214#comment-9709 Sam Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:44:58 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/local-food-use-it-or-lose-it/archives/214#comment-9709 Completely agree. we all complain about importing products, yet the local population doesn't use its own resources. Completely agree. we all complain about importing products, yet the local population doesn’t use its own resources.

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