Amazing how creative crooks can be!Is there any law they are breaking, or would they just have their hands slapped anyway. I guuess thinking about it, I wouldn't want to pay to keep them in jail!

I have seen strawberries, one box labeled conventional and one labeled organic, and they look exactly alike at a small farmers' market. There's just no way because I'm pretty sure the organic ones would be smaller and less perfect-looking. I don't see how those who run the markets have the time and money to check out every claim.

There are groups that certify 'organic'. Demand that you see certification, or at least take the issue up with the people who run the farmer's market and ask for it. Only if they get enough demand from the public will they actually do something.

I Actually have even seen labeled produce boxes sitting right outside a booth that plainly showed where the produce was from.

It's a shame. I live in a farming/Mennonite community.
We have a very large, popular tourist attraction farmer's market in our neighbouring town.

It used to be the farmers and Mennonites selling their wares, but now the produce come from the Toronto warehouse, with very few local vendors.

Haven't particularly considered it a scam, but yes, most of the produce stalls in the farm markets around here sell produce they've purchased elsewhere. It's just not possible for a stand to have ALL the types of produce the public wants at any given time. Produce is seasonal, and only ripens at certain times. I just consider that they're providing what the public wants--so they can stay in business.

We have a local farmer's market on Fridays where some stands sell local, some sell a mix of local and non-local and one sells almost all non-local (no one really tosses the 'organic' word around here). Which stand always has the longest line (more like a mob)? The completely non-local stand since their stuff is CHEAP. Apparently not everyone is jumping on board the local and/or organic train.

I sell crafts a a local farmer's market. It is small. Our farmers are mostly from Santa Maria and here around Paso Robles and are certified and must have theie certification with them which is checked by the local agricultural department - then we have one merchant that sells non-certified products ( she buys her products from the sheds in the valley and brings them over here) she can not even be by the certified producers. Granted it is small, but it is the resposibility of the manager to assure the products are grown locally. The farmer's have to post their certification in their booths. It is amazing that people will ask when we will have pineapple for sale at the market... PINEAPPLE??? lol The responce is they sell it at the local grocery store... THey don't know it is not grown locally...

Good grief! Crooks are everywhere aren't they?

Ran into that near San Diego one year. They have a great farmer's market in the middle of where they raise the produce. But saw a truck along the side of the road selling strawberries we figured it was ok. as it was near the fields, and yes they were is season. Got back to the trailer, and after tasting a couple a looking closer decieded they had come from Mexico. Should have figured it out because he spoke very little English and seemed kind of nervous. We ended up tossing them. Live and learn!

You buy from these places, you take your chances. I have a feeling a lot of people would be very surprised if they knew where a lot of their food originated and how it was grown.

AFAIC, the whole term "organic" is a sham anyway.

Hi again cynic,

You're sure that you're not becoming a cynical old man??

ole joyful

Becoming? LOL Well my friend actually I'm far more pragmatic than today's adulterated definition of a cynic presumably of which you speak! Although it would be fair to say I definitely am a Cynic in the philosophical sense and ancient definition since I do believe ethics, high standards and virtue are the greatest good and that people should lead honorable, disciplined and anti-materialistic lives. Few people know what a Cynic is but this is a topic for a thread of its own.

Back to the topic, the biggest frustration I have with Farmers' Markets is the limited time they're open. Seems like I can't get to them during the few hours they're operating.

I don't sell at a Farmers Market, but my veggie beds are 100% chemical free, and we only use organic fertilizers (manure and worm castings) and no chemical pesticides.... I am not sure about the topsoil and it was brought in just 3 years ago for my raised bed veggie gardens, so although I cannot yet call it totally organic, I sure am not putting chemicals into is... We grow enough to can and freeze for the two of us without having to buy outside except if we want fresh lettuce, celery, tomotos etc.... then we have to just take our chances on what's out there...

I am not a purist when it come to eating organic foods, I just don't want to add it into my own environment. Here I can control it, there I cannot..

Carolyn

Oh you would be surprised how many "farmers " are buying their home grown produce at auction. My neighbor back the road had the plain clothes and long beard and would sell out of the corn he got at the produce auction the day before that was picked "who knows when". He didn't even have a garden.
Another farm family at the end of town always has produce before the start of the season here. Unless you are picking it, you can't tell where your stuff comes from.