Comments on: store bought local food http://blog.seacoasteatlocal.org/2007/07/09/store_bought/ think globally, eat locally Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:15:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Pat http://blog.seacoasteatlocal.org/2007/07/09/store_bought/#comment-12 Pat Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:18:01 +0000 http://blog.seacoasteatlocal.org/2007/07/09/store_bought/#comment-12 Yes, actually, I have tried both and both are quite good. In fact, I took a cooking class at Flag Hill that focused on buying locally and Chef Ted cited several excellent sources for buying local and organic foods. I hope to take more of his classes. Yes, actually, I have tried both and both are quite good. In fact, I took a cooking class at Flag Hill that focused on buying locally and Chef Ted cited several excellent sources for buying local and organic foods. I hope to take more of his classes.

]]> By: Sara Zoe http://blog.seacoasteatlocal.org/2007/07/09/store_bought/#comment-11 Sara Zoe Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:00:26 +0000 http://blog.seacoasteatlocal.org/2007/07/09/store_bought/#comment-11 Price consciousness is always a good thing - these are businesses looking to succeed, and their margins are smaller on some products than others, so individual product mark ups from one business to another can vary significantly. But I don't know that I would go so far as to say "take advantage" - they aren't offering a public service, they are businesses, so they are doing what businesses do. This all touches of another one of the reasons I prefer farmers' markets and other methods of direct sales -- all of the farmers I know care very deeply about issues of affordability and don't want their products to become available only to the wealthy. They struggle so much more often with not charging enough for their labor, input, investment, and err on the undercharging, as far as I'm concerned. Farming is hard work. Direct sales also mean the middle man doesn't need a cut, so the price we pay is often lower than a store bought price. But it isn't always as convenient, thus the price trade-off. Good discussion question - I welcome others' thoughts on the issues. Pat - ps, ever try local wines? Jewell Towne Vinyards and Flag Hill both produce whites that make very fun summer wines, along with some very good reds. Price consciousness is always a good thing - these are businesses looking to succeed, and their margins are smaller on some products than others, so individual product mark ups from one business to another can vary significantly.

But I don’t know that I would go so far as to say “take advantage” - they aren’t offering a public service, they are businesses, so they are doing what businesses do.

This all touches of another one of the reasons I prefer farmers’ markets and other methods of direct sales — all of the farmers I know care very deeply about issues of affordability and don’t want their products to become available only to the wealthy. They struggle so much more often with not charging enough for their labor, input, investment, and err on the undercharging, as far as I’m concerned. Farming is hard work. Direct sales also mean the middle man doesn’t need a cut, so the price we pay is often lower than a store bought price. But it isn’t always as convenient, thus the price trade-off.

Good discussion question - I welcome others’ thoughts on the issues.

Pat - ps, ever try local wines? Jewell Towne Vinyards and Flag Hill both produce whites that make very fun summer wines, along with some very good reds.

]]> By: Pat http://blog.seacoasteatlocal.org/2007/07/09/store_bought/#comment-10 Pat Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:13:23 +0000 http://blog.seacoasteatlocal.org/2007/07/09/store_bought/#comment-10 I, too, have found Philbrick's Fresh Market, and their food is wonderful. They also have a decent wine selection (we like to have wine with dinner sometimes.) However, I bought a bottle of wine there that was priced at $15.99. Later, I found the same bottle of wine at a local wine shop that was priced at $10.99. I worry that markets and owners as well as farmers' markets might take advantage of our desire for good, healthy foods and beverages. What are your thoughts? I, too, have found Philbrick’s Fresh Market, and their food is wonderful. They also have a decent wine selection (we like to have wine with dinner sometimes.) However, I bought a bottle of wine there that was priced at $15.99. Later, I found the same bottle of wine at a local wine shop that was priced at $10.99. I worry that markets and owners as well as farmers’ markets might take advantage of our desire for good, healthy foods and beverages. What are your thoughts?

]]> By: jean http://blog.seacoasteatlocal.org/2007/07/09/store_bought/#comment-5 jean Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:30:41 +0000 http://blog.seacoasteatlocal.org/2007/07/09/store_bought/#comment-5 I am so glad to find your new eat local blog. We've been feasting on summer squash the past few days. Summer is here, let's eat! I am so glad to find your new eat local blog. We’ve been feasting on summer squash the past few days. Summer is here, let’s eat!

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