This article describes the recent issue facing farmers who sell their produce at farmers' markets: as more farmers' markets open, the customers divide into only buying from their local markets, lessening the farmer’s profit. As Brigitte Moran, executive director of Marin Markets in California, puts it, “‘We have this mentality of, oh, we have a Starbucks on every corner….So why can’t we have a farmers’ market?’”
I sympathize with some of the points the article makes, for instance, that “...62 farmers’ markets opened in Oregon…and 32 failed”. If a farmers’ market is going to be set up, the farmers, location, and resources available should be taken into account, so farmers don’t end up with financial troubles because no one shows up to the market.
On the other hand, while I understand the problem that the farmers are facing, there are also upsides to having more local farmers’ markets that the article does not address. For instance, having a farmers’ market in every neighborhood allows people who don’t have the resources or time to travel around a city or town access to a farmers’ market. Also, it gives more people the option to eat healthier and from a local source.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/us/21farmers.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1&hpw
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