Farmers’ Markets, Farmers’ Perspective

A physical meeting place for farmers and consumers, the farmers’ market is a retail site where a collection of farmers come together to sell food products to the public. At farmers’ markets, each farmer operates his or her own market stand, booth, or table, and the market consumer has the opportunity to compare the prices and products of the individual farms while shopping. Goods for sale at farmers’ markets differ, but the most common items offered are produce, meat, poultry, dairy, preserves, and baked goods. Farmers’ markets are particularly important sources of income for small- to mid-sized farms because they create the opportunity for independent farmers to sell directly to their customers. Today, farmers’ markets are increasingly popular due to public interest in buying and ...