A Day at the Jacksonville Farmer's Market

[metoo]

Why does the farmers market promote its facility as a place to buy from farmers? The only produce I see there was grown many miles away and shipped. What we really need is a amrket, or an area of this market, that sells real locally grown produce. And some organic  products would be nice, too. Yes, the prices are cheaper than the grocery, but vegetables sitting in the heat and sunshine loose nutrients.

[stjr]

Why does the farmers market promote its facility as a place to buy from farmers? The only produce I see there was grown many miles away and shipped. What we really need is a amrket, or an area of this market, that sells real locally grown produce. And some organic  products would be nice, too. Yes, the prices are cheaper than the grocery, but vegetables sitting in the heat and sunshine loose nutrients.

My visits to the Farmers Market indicate that the new sheds at the market effectively shade most items (and customers) throughout the day, especially the peak times of sun.  And with the turnover volume, I doubt much is exposed very long to begin with. Contrast this with the grocery stores who are probably gassing or treating their produce to keep it looking picture perfect for display.  Add the stores "mood" lighting to bring out the best colors and good luck bringing home exactly what you thought it was in the store. 

One should also consider the many traditional varieties of produce with superior flavor that can be found in the Farmers Market that grocery stores won't touch because of their less than perfect appearance or shorter shelf life.  Smart buyers know appearances can be deceiving with some produce in terms of obtaining best flavor.  We didn't always have pesticides, genetic engineering, and other technology to alter produce to make it so picture perfect and old timers will tell you that much of the best flavored stuff doesn't always look the prettiest.

Many vendors are seasonal farmers and many of the regular vendors are supplied by farmers who don't wish to hang around and sell their production.  A lot of the farmers sell out early in the day and you have to be there earlier to catch them.  Remember, too, there is a significant wholesale operation in the early morning and farmers like to sell out quickly and get back to the farm.

With fewer and fewer farmers in the region (see below data from last week's Florida Times Union article showing that in Duval County acreage has shrunk some 73% over the last 52 years) it is not as easy to find very close-by suppliers.  I would consider any farmer from Florida, Georgia, or the Carolinas "local" by today's standards.  Yes, there are some vendors that mix in or carry other produce because it is nearly impossible to have enough variety and supply year round depending only on "local" production.  And some of the ethnic or specialty produce may not be grown locally.  You should ask questions if this is important to you and buy accordingly.  But it is not right to whitewash equally all the vendors and/or the produce sold as there is way too much variety and seasonality.

By the way, if someone wants something special in the market, some existing vendors may be able to bring it in.  Or, maybe you could find a new vendor to set up shop there if you see a niche not being covered.  It is, after all, the ultimate in entrepreneurial settings. 
----------------------------------------------------
Per the Florida T-U:
SHRINKING FARMLAND
The number of farms and farmland in Duval County has been dwindling over the years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's census:
1950
975
farms
112,543
acres

2002
382
farms
31,241
acres
Note: The 2002 figures are the most recent available; they will be updated in February.

[thelakelander]

Speaking of new vendors, they now have one selling seafood.  Needless to say, that booth had a pretty decent crowd purchasing fresh shrimp, lobster and fish.

[BridgeTroll]

Chickens and goats for sale way in the back...

[uptowngirl]

Check out "Conexus"? Across the street. Great prices on good coffee, tea, and spices mmmmm....Only draw back is the hours, open m-f 8 to 430ish

[stjr]

I believe that it's Condaxis Coffee, at same intersection of Robinson Ave. and Beaver Street as Farmers Market, but on Northwest corner.

[Jimmy Olsen]

I've heard some bad things about the Farmer's Market here in town... such as cleanliness and such. But I have to say it looks very nice in the pictures you have posted. I'm on my way there now so we will see:-)

[Jimmy Olsen]

I believe that it's Condaxis Coffee, at same intersection of Robinson Ave. and Beaver Street as Farmers Market, but on Northwest corner.

I am pretty sure it is Condaxis, I know they distribute to a lot of the restaurants around town. Good Coffee.

[Jimmy Olsen]

I just got back from the FM and it was a great experience! Everyone was very friendly and the prices were AWESOME!

I got:

8 Yellow Squash    $3.00
5 Fuji Apples         $3.00
10 Florida Oranges $3.00
3 Red Onions         $1.00
?# Red Grapes       $2.50
      Grand Total:  $12.50

That would normally cost me $25 @ publix.

[Coolyfett]

The farmers market rocks, we go at least once a week! You can not beat the prices and the produce is excellent.

Cooly- what is worng with Beaver?

Nothing exactly...just the scenery I don't really like. Once you get to Myrtle and Beaver or Cleveland and Beaver you don't feel like you are Downtown, where as if you take Church to Acorn it still has a city feel to it, You ride right past the rail yard make the quick left on Beaver and you are there.

[ProjectMaximus]

Count the number of grapes as you eat em, Jimmy! I need to know how much per grape.

[alta]

The Farmer's Market is great for fresh produce and getting a great deal.

[Shwaz]

I had the pleasure of visiting the Farmers Market this past Tuesday for the first time thanks to MetroJacksonville.

I was really surprised to see how busy it was in the early afternoon on a weekday.

I ended up leaving with 15lb's of fruit & veggies for $10; tomato's, bell peppers, egg plant (the size of my leg), grape fruit were all priced much lower then the local grocery and the sizes and quality was much much better.

Another great Jax staple I was missing out on and it was litterally 3 minutes from my house!

[jtwestside]

My Father works at BSF (Beaver Street Foods) , and previously at A & P (in virtually the same location) brewing 8 o clock coffee (until the coffee plant closed) for as long as I've been alive. We've always enjoyed the 'fruits' farmers market, and my mom tells stories of a time she used to sell for vendors back when. The new large freezer on that side of the overpass really took up a lot of the farmer’s market real estate, but I think it was the right decision to keep it in it current location instead of relocating as was the talk at the time. I like the condensed feel, although parking can feel a bit Closter-phobic.

As for the talk of moving it. I find that akin to wanting to tear down a historical home or building in down town because you think something new would be "better" (think the new Court House Plans). The FM has worked where it is for years, and I see no reason to move it. If you want to move something, lets start with some things that are not working, like the landing. I think it's about time we tear it down, not screw the farmers market up by putting it there.

[thelakelander]

As for the talk of moving it. I find that akin to wanting to tear down a historical home or building in down town because you think something new would be "better" (think the new Court House Plans). The FM has worked where it is for years, and I see no reason to move it. If you want to move something, lets start with some things that are not working, like the landing. I think it's about time we tear it down, not screw the farmers market up by putting it there.

This flies out the window because the historic sheds were destroyed for the new cold storage warehouse about a year ago.  Although, at the same stoplight, the location also shifted to a parcel to the west.  So in reality it did move.  What's there is not historic or the original site of the market.   In the end, even the current location is fine as long as we find a way to better connect and promote the market to its surroundings and the urban core.  The place is an economic engine that has not been taken advantage of in decades, from a redevelopment/revitalization standpoint. 

That entire Beaver Street strip could be a much better place and greater destination if we apply the clustering and connectivity concepts to the market and its surroundings.  Take a look at the district around Detroit's Eastern Market.  It's gritty and industrial.  But its also vibrant and a regional destination for residents, dining businesses and tourists.  There's no reason all those vacant warehouses and empty lots down Beaver can't one day resemble the same thing.

Eastern Market: Creating a successful farmer's market district











full article: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=370.0