Farmers Market Growth....

The Dekalb Farmers Market

Picture Source: http://elaneymedia.com

I guess their are some telling trends as far as the "buying local, natural foods" is concerned. Farmers markets are seeing bigger crowds every year, as people become more educated about the broken food system in America. I believe that concerns over food safety as well as the foods being shipped from all over the world play a big role.


"Over the past decade, farmers markets have increased 71 percent, U.S. Department of Agriculture figures show. In July, the agency reported that nearly 4,900 markets operate nationwide, up about 5 percent from the end of last year." USA Today reports. This is an amazing statistic.

Picture Source: http://agronomyday.cropsci.illinois.edu

You see similar trends in seeds sales, too. This spring was the first time I can remember seeds either being sold out or on backorder. It was frustrating, but I guess a good sign that some folks are using their food concerns as motivation to grow backyard plots to help feed their families.

Picture Source: http://literalminded.files.wordpress.com

These are just baby steps, but the transition is happening. I think as the local food movement becomes more mainstream, you will see prices come down as farmers will be able to buy organic grain and other organic farm necessities cheaper as more will be produced. If this happens, watch out, because their will be an all out war with the "Big AG" companies. They will try to discredit small farmers and lobby for tougher regulations to be imposed on small producers, and it is already happening, to some extent.

Michael Pollan is now being targeted by "Big AG" companies. They see him as one of their biggest threats. As Allan Stockman reported, "As of late 'they' have been threatening universities who invite him to speak with donation cutoffs. Last week California Polytechnic withdrew its invitation to Pollan after Harris Ranch of California threatened to withdraw a promised $500,000 donation." If anything, it would seem to me that it gives Michael more press and opening up the door for more people to see what he is all about.
Well, this is definitely nothing new.

Quote: I thought fitting to use Michael Pollan's quote on industrial meat, since that was one of the "Big AG" companies that is trying to stop him for speaking. Enjoy.

" Now that I know how supermarket meat is made, I regard eating it as a somewhat risky proposition. I know how those animals live and what's on their hides when they go to slaughter, so I don't buy industrial meat. " ~ Michael Pollan