pokoko said:
I would like to point out that comparing today's market to that from decades ago just doesn't work. Farms did well because there was more demand, both home and abroad. Now, because of much more efficient techniques, better equipment, and agents like pesticides, we produce far more than we need. Most countries have the same problem and it's driving down all the markets. All the farmers I know are trying to find products with more favorable demand. Some farmers got paid to not grow certain crops, though I don't know if they're still getting checks now. |
True. When I grew up supermarkets were still a relatively new concept. You got your vegetables and meat at specialized stores, with a lot of stuff simply not available out of season. Nowadays everything is available year round in perfectly shiny uniform looking fruit and vegetables. Everything that doesn't look perfect doesn't even make it to the stores. Local produce actually looks less desirable than stuff from the other side of the world, as for local foods they'll sell more variable looking produce. It tastes better yet in today's society looks > taste.
For example strawberries from South America, look pretty, taste bitter, rot in less than a week. Local strawberries look ugly, taste great. Direct from the farm, taste heavenly. Transport costs are too low. It's kinda rediculous to ship most foods back and forth accross the world before it reaches the stores.
What I would like to see is farmer's markets integrated with supermarkets. Supermarkets are simply very convenient and won't go anywhere. So why not make them sort of mini malls with produce sections integrated in the main store.
