Although the current recession has forced families to cut back on daily luxuries such as dining out and shopping, local farmers expect farmers’ markets to continue to attract local residents as spring quickly approaches.
Since the economic collapse last year, farmers have actually reported increased demand for their produce, Amherst Old Friends Farm co-owner Missy Bahret said. The Copley Square Farmers’ Market will open May 20, and a new market will open at Boylston Plaza by the Prudential Center, Bahret said.
‘We have seen increased demand for our produce,’ Bahret said. ‘It makes sense that as people have to think more about their purchases and eliminate frivolous spending, they consciously want healthier items, want their dollars to stay local and go about their purchases with a holistic eye.’
Farmer’s markets have enjoyed success because of growing interest in organic and locally grown food, Boston University economics department associate chairman Randall Ellis said. People are also more likely to support local farmers when times get tough, especially because they know the money goes directly into the farmers’ pockets, Ellis said.
‘For local farmers [farmers’ markets] are about the only way to profitably market fresh produce since the large chains like Shaw’s generally refuse to buy from them,’ Ellis said. ‘But farmer’s markets are still not very profitable for small farmers.’
Selling at the Copley Square Farmers’ Market differs from supermarkets when it comes to customer interactions, Dartmouth Silverbrook Farm owner Andy Pollack said.
‘Copley is the oldest established market, kind of like a buyer’s paradise,’ Pollack said. ‘It’s the best selection of farmer produce in the state.’
Farmers Market Coalition Executive Director Jeff Cole said customers realize that locally grown food is environmentally safe and tasteful.
‘Local foods taste better, and when customers think about it, it’s a lesser environmental cost to get food on their tables,’ Cole said.
As Americans limit their everyday spending, they place top priority on produce quality by paying more at farmer’s markets, Ellis said.
‘Greater luxuries like eating out and travel are more likely to be cut from people’s budgets,’ Ellis said. ‘Farmers’ markets survive because they are local and tend to be more organic with fresher, higher quality and more flavorful produce, which people are willing to pay a higher price for.’
Although farmers’ market owners do not profit as much as larger supermarket produce companies, local farmers said they find their jobs are nevertheless enjoyable.
‘A market day is a long, but fun day for us,’ Bahret said. ‘Farmer’s markets are great because customers can meet the farmer, ask questions directly to them and create a relationship with the farmer, but at a supermarket, that type of loyal relationship is a bit more challenging to build.’
Even with the low profits, farmers feel they are in a ‘more recession proof industry,’ Pollock said.
Although concerns about the economy remain, farmers and agriculture-based organizations agree that the recession will not affect their markets or the support from the locals.
‘We are not anticipating that the industry will be severely affected,’ Cole said. ‘The farmers are not predicting nor planning on planting for a downfall, so there will be plenty of produce at the market.’
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