Local Says Green Markets Have Become Too Expensive

Photo via See-ming Lee's flickr

One man is fed up with what he deems overpriced goods at the city's Green Markets, specifically the one in Union Square. He posted that after not visiting the market there for a year, he returned only to find it's become a "gouging shit fest." With vendors selling cookies for $4 a piece, a bunch of radishes for $7, and jam for $10 a jar... he has now vowed to walk away from buying local. Could the Green Market kill the conscious buyer and in doing so bring Wal-Mart to Union Square?! He writes:

Seriously, I thought the idea of these places was a bit of a bargain because you're supposedly "buying direct" from the farmer or the baker or whoever. Why is it that every fucking body who sells ANYTHING in this town has to be so friggen greedy and sell at premium prices? We're not rich guys, just basic hard working types like a lot of people. I want these vendors to make really good money but if they're this fucking lofty with their little oat cookies and radish bunches, just open a fucking shop on Long Island and make your millions off the rich locals. Why ruin what was such a great, affordable market?

Perhaps the vendors are just trying to combat their own city expenses, however, as one commenter points out, "It's New York City. The overhead costs, which include permits and booth rental in addition to gas, tolls, and labor, all have to be taken into consideration. For comparison, how much would you have to pay if you hauled your ass to their farms?"

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By Jen Carlson in Food on November 8, 2010 3:19 PM

Comments [rss]

Reana

Just linked to this article so I'm sure my comment will post into obscurity..BUT

How is it that not one commenter has brought up how much farmers actually walk away with? Because local farmers are not subsidized by the USDA and do not produce in mega feed lots or with mega-crop chemicals, their costs are astronomically higher.

Many farmers walk away with roughly a dollar of profit per item despite pricing their eggs at $10 a dozen or what have you. I'm not going to do all the work for you and link to a bunch of research proving this, but please check it out.

Yes there are some people that are going to hike up prices on "boutique" items for boutique shoppers (e.g. that crazy heirloom auction at Christies), but most people responding to this are accusing the market farmers of elitism when many just barely get by. Get to know a little more about our farm economy before you make baseless accusations.

heycarrieann

My favorite stop is the pretzle guys. Their prices have stayed pretty much the same for years. As for the rest of the market, if I don't find what I like or want to pay at one vendor, I go to another until I find what I want at the price I am willing to pay. Geez guy, lazy much?

soxinthecity

I discovered the joys of garlic jelly at the Union Square Market back in the mid 90's. I will always love them for that.

wow 14th street

One farmer there told me" you new Yorker's are paying

$4000 a month for rent ,so I raised the biscotti prices

a dollar and lost 20% of sales"

Go figure, It does look like a market for hipsters now

If those $1800.dollar baby strollers are any indication..

Gotham Extremist

What makes local produce that much "better" than let say produce from trader joes or shoprite? Show me da proooth!

poopmast

the stuff at trader joes rots after 2 days

Cannibal

Or comes infested with bugs. I will never buy produce from there again, only packaged goods.

handsomedevil

I'm confused. Why aren't we attacking the people who shop at green markets with ridiculously stereotypical characterizations?

ViniTheHat

Because they're moving targets.

ANGRYGOD11

If you really want to know if the Union Square Green Market is overpriced, visit some of the other Green Markets in less trendy areas. You better believe the prices (nor the selection nor quality) is as surprising as Union Square.

Hint: Take the 4 or 5 uptown to 149th Street

ganghiscon

We pay around $80-100 a week for a couple and we probably eat at least 75% of our weekly food from that one trip to the farmer's market. So about $45 per person, plus going out to dinner a couple of times a week. That is not expensive. If you're worried about saving money, don't buy the $4 cookies. You don't need cookies. Even if they're $1.

thefacts

Radish $7 at ???

This little queen is bullshitting.

Huge radishes have been going for $1 to $2 a bunch all season. I got heirloom tomatoes for $3 a lb last week.

Lettuce is cheaper than in the local supermarket.

You want cheap cookies? Buy Oreos or Fig Newtons, or STFU.

No one is forcing anyone to shop there,

Read how he describes his pathetic little blog: "pointless bitchery."

Well said, Mary.

citylion

I've been buying the brussel sprout stalks this past two weeks. I have to split it in half and give it to someone I know because I can't eat that much at a time by myself and it only has cost me 3 bucks a stalk.

I agree, you just have to know what to look for and what stands to stay away from. The shopper in the story obviously hasn't done their due diligence.

poopmast

I never paid more than 2.50 for radishes, the cookies are practically free after 5pm, and I just bought some concord grape jam at the market on saturday for 4 bucks. He probably works for the rediculously overpriced food emporium across the street.

JenChungsBaby

$2.50 for that little patch of grass?!?!?!?! I can get that shit free in Central Park.

Mordicai

"Local blogger complains on the internet, film at 11."

Brainwash

Say it ain't so, Coach!

nony2

i agree. they have become more expensive. their over head is much lower yet they charge much more. breads are always ridiculously high. it isn't a bargain but for produce i think quality is better. at the GAP market on saturday the turkey guys charge over $10 a lb for turkey sausages. they r wonderful but not $10lb wonderful.

kekule

Are these vendors regulated? I've always wondered whether they just buy groceries from Wal-Mart in the suburbs and then resale them here for 2-3 times the cost.

dr zippy

Yes, the growers are regulated. The Greenmarket program includes farm inspections to make sure the farmers are growing what they sell and aren't mistreating animals. If the farmer violates the rules they aren't allowed to sell within the Greenmarket program.