Author Topic: Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market  (Read 22344 times)

Metro Jacksonville

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Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market
« on: March 09, 2012, 07:34:59 AM »
Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market



Metro Jacksonville visits a treasured urban core destination that's been serving the community and incubating homegrown small businesses since 1938:  The Jacksonville Farmer's Market.


Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-mar-visiting-the-jacksonville-farmers-market

Bativac

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Re: Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2012, 07:44:43 AM »
I've wondered this about the farmer's market since I started going there 10 years ago - how much of the stuff is truly "farmer's market," like produced on a local farm, and how much of it is the same imported stuff I can get at Publix for three times the cost?

Also - it would be fantastic if the farmer's market could start carrying more meat and cheese products, making use of the old grocery store.

ben says

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Re: Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2012, 07:57:18 AM »
To your first comment, I agree. Some of the produce there has stickers on it identical to what you'd find at Publix. I too wonder if what I'm getting is from a first hand farmer, or a middleman who got a really good deal...

To your second comment, +1.
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Garden guy

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Re: Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2012, 08:09:03 AM »
I never understood why this market wasnt more like whats at RAM.

avs

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Re: Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2012, 08:17:09 AM »
Most of the stuff there is middle men and it is stuff that is shipped here.  There are a few farmers sprinkled in.You can always ask before you buy from them

ben says

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Re: Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2012, 08:20:06 AM »
Most of the stuff there is middle men and it is stuff that is shipped here.  There are a few farmers sprinkled in.You can always ask before you buy from them

I love the Jax Farmers Market, but that is pretty disappointing to here.

I never understood why this market wasnt more like whats at RAM.

Kinda glad it's not like RAM. RAM relies less on food, more on activities and entertainment. I prefer the food.
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fsujax

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Re: Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market
« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2012, 08:20:14 AM »
I used to always go there with my grandma. Such a cool place.

thelakelander

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Re: Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market
« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2012, 08:40:39 AM »
I love the farmer's market.  It's one of the most culturally diverse places in this city.
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mtraininjax

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Re: Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2012, 10:13:39 AM »
I can't believe the hypocrisy here, we're contemplating where Vegetables come from? Figuring that fuel costs are through the roof, do you think Dole or Del Monte would show up here and look to dump their offerings? These are locals or from our area, I did not ask if there were any folks from California or Arizona on my last trip, but then again, why does it matter? Are the peppers from California that are in Publix all that much better than what is at the Farmer's market? You can also buy shrimp from the side of the road, does that mean the shrimp are caught in Chile and shipped here? Get real!

If you don't like what you see, buy the expensive variety from Publix. Don't forget the REAL farmer's market that 'town puts on in the Shops of Avondale on Sundays.

Why isn't this area more like RAM? Let's allow cars in RAM and see what the difference is. RAM is more of a destination, the river, Riverside, who wants to go and hang out on Beaver and Dennis Street? You might want to if you needed to catch a train to another part of the country.
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exnewsman

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Re: Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2012, 10:55:52 AM »
I'd love to see the Farmer's Market move in the current convention center space and add a couple restaurants. You would have the benefit of having the Skyway bringing people from downtown or people could stop on their way to I-10 or I-95 after work.

When the Jacksonville Terminal is reinvented, you would also have travelers using the venue on a daily basis. The eateries would offer a destiantion as well as use the local produce and other offerings as well as drive more people to the Market.

Plus it would add an element of vibrancy and destination to LaVilla and the proposed Regional Transit Center. Having an all indoors market allows for expansion into meats, cheeses, seafood, etc that may require display cases. You could have permanent spaces as well as occasional set-ups for those who don't need a daily space.

Loading/unloading areas are already set up. There is plenty of parking onsite plus transit is available with more coming. It also would focus local people's attention back downtown.

Similar to the Cleveland West Side Market.
http://www.westsidemarket.org/about.html
 

WmNussbaum

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Re: Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2012, 11:35:43 AM »
Ahhh, yes. Sandy's Steer Room - originally Abood's Steer Room. It was a madhouse on Fla/Ga weekend and New Years. It came to a violent and fiery demise one evening, and the owner went to jail for arson.

I would love to see it expand with other and different vendors. Flowers would be a wonderful addition, as would a juice bar. If it ever approached the Dekalb County Market in the Atlanta area or even the Western Carolina Farmer'sMarket in Ashville, it would be great.

johnny_simpatico

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Re: Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market
« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2012, 11:40:01 AM »
While it's true that most of the vendors at the Jacksonville Farmers Market are selling the same stuff...and much of that isn't really local, there are real farmers that will show up on the periphery with a trailer full of watermelons or corn.  For buying produce, I find it a far better experience than the Riverside Arts Market.  My guess is that 90% of the stuff sold by Reeds Groves and others at RAM is the same stuff at the Farmers Market, but at more than twice the price.  Check out the discarded boxes at RAM.  The strawberries are from Plant City and nearby places; just like the Farmer's Market.  The tomato boxes?  Same story...same names as can be found at the Farmers Market. It's a fiction that RAM is selling only local produce, unless they define local as including the entire state of Florida, in which case, the Jacksonville Farmers Market is also largely local.

finehoe

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Re: Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market
« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2012, 11:43:56 AM »
....but then again, why does it matter?

Good for farmers
- they’re a different source of revenue, often crucial in today’s difficult farming climate.
- they give farmers greater control over their economic lives.
- farmers can get higher prices - as the middle man is cut out.
- farmers diversify their skills - gaining marketing and business expertise.
- farmers get increased networking and learning opportunities with other farmers.
Good for the local economy
- more money is spent in the local economy, and it circulates in the locality for longer.
- there is high knock-on spending in other shops on market days.
- they provide an outlet for local produce, helping to start new local businesses and expand existing
ones.
- they reinforce local job and business networks, maintaining local employment.
Good for consumers
- consumers enjoy the atmosphere and experience of farmers’ markets.
- consumers get fresh, healthy produce usually at competitive prices.
- they offer increased choice, and can offer extra fresh, affordable produce in areas with few such
options.
- they strengthen community - a key factor in the quality of life in Jacksonville.
Good for the environment
- food travels less far; there are less “food miles”.
- food has less packaging.
- they are an important outlet for farmers selling organic and less intensively-produced food.

Bativac

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Re: Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market
« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2012, 12:42:26 PM »
I can't believe the hypocrisy here, we're contemplating where Vegetables come from? Figuring that fuel costs are through the roof, do you think Dole or Del Monte would show up here and look to dump their offerings? These are locals or from our area, I did not ask if there were any folks from California or Arizona on my last trip, but then again, why does it matter? Are the peppers from California that are in Publix all that much better than what is at the Farmer's market? You can also buy shrimp from the side of the road, does that mean the shrimp are caught in Chile and shipped here? Get real!

Mtrain I'm only asking because I prefer to buy local stuff when I can, and you don't always know - nor can you always trust the vendors at the Jax Farmer's Market. I've asked and been told "yeah it's local" and then found stickers indicating Mexico as the point of origin for things like tomatos that should definitely be available from a local source.

I've gotten excellent local honey and fruit from the farmer's market (local to the region, if not the city). I've also gotten garlic from China, watermelons from Mexico, etc.

Not saying it's good or bad. I'm there every week so obviously it doesn't keep me from buying the stuff. I just wish there were more locally-grown produce items readily available. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.

iluvolives

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Re: Visiting The Jacksonville Farmer's Market
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2012, 01:22:45 PM »
I know that the back left hand section of the Farmers market is reserved either for local, or possibly organic- I can't recall which.

Also, you can inspect the produce before you buy it. Typically, the middlemen leave the stickers on.