On the Farmer's Market and Saturday Supper
A peculiar thing is happening to Bay Area farmer's market, and I'm not sure that I like it. They are becoming very much in fashion, in vogue, and not always in a good way. In other parts of the country a farmer's market is a place to get wholesome farm fresh produce, much better than what you would get at the grocery, for rock bottom prices. The farmer's market cuts out the middle man; they are a place where the farmer is also the purveyor. But in the Bay Area the farmer's market is a place for a stroll, sipping your organic coffee, a place to see and be seen, they are dripping with folksiness, not a place for everyone, but a place for those who can afford their organic (sometimes) produce. Not every Bay Area farmer's market is like this, but the weekend farmer's market at Ferry Building surely is.It was a beautiful Saturday morning, warm and sunny, so my husband and I ventured to SF for our very first visit to the Ferry Building. First visit! I know the Ferry Building has been open how long, what type of bourgie does this girl think she is? Well, I will tell you, not the type who gathers together my empty satchel awaiting fresh produce early on a weekend morning, only to listen to some dude's rendition of Andre 3000 played on the acoustic guitar a la Simon and Garfunkel. Thank you very much. My experience at the SF farmer's market can be best summed up with this analogy: the Ferry Building Farmer's Market is to the classic farmer's market as Disneyland is to a county fair, a good premise that has lost sight of its original goals.
I should temper this post by saying this farmer's market was not all bad. It was vast. Row upon row of stalls, each with their different wares: produce, oil and vinegars, chilis, breads, smoked fish, and leeks, there were a lot of leeks. And inside the Ferry Building, the portion that is open daily, was really quite lovely. Cow Girl Creamery has a shop filled with artisinal cheeses and housemade ricottas, fetas, and fromage blancs; the purveyors were more than happy to answer my often times thick questions and offer a taste of their creamy cheeses.
I can honestly say that I was shocked by the prices of all of the foods at the farmer's market. EX-PEN-SIVE! I am not one to scrimp when it comes to food; I believe in paying the just price for goods. But I will not pay astronomical prices for the same foods that I can buy either at Berkeley Bowl or Monterey Market for a fraction of the cost. It was interesting to note that I saw some of the same farmers at the Ferry Building Farmer's Market as I see at the Jack London Square Farmer's Market in Oakland, where they sell the same produce for a fraction of the price. I guess the only difference is that they know the "foodies" that frequent the SF farmer's market will pay the exorbitant prices. CA-CHING, all hail capitalism!
But on to dinner, I wanted something light and fresh, something that displayed the little bit that I bought at the Ferry Building (yes, I too succumbed to the call of capitalism). So I made some scrambled eggs, adorned with crisp asparagus and meaty wild mushrooms. Taking advantage of the fresh ricotta cheese that I purchased at Cowgirl, I blended it into the scrambled eggs. Placed on top of grilled levain bread, it proved to be the ideal supper to end an exhausting day. Check out the Daily Specials page for a more complete recipe for Springtime Scrambled Eggs on Toast.
5 Comments:
I agree that the Ferry Building attracts tourists, but I don't see that as a bad thing. I think it's great that more people are gaining an interest in coming to farmer's markets and supporting local agriculture/sustainable growth practices. Even if they are only doing it because it is "in" right now, I know that some people will continue shopping there for years.
Also, I definately do not look for or expect "rock bottom prices". Of course I don't expect to get ripped off, but I expect to get great produce (better than supermarkets) at fair prices. Given that the vendors at farmer's markets are not mass producing and often have completely organicly grown products, it doesn't suprise me that the same weight of strawberries could cost me more at the farmer's market than at the grocery store.
I agree that more people are interested in farmer's markets, supporting local agriculture and sustainable growth practices. I am also very pleased with the idea that people are eating more seasonally. But I don't agree with your argument that non-mass produced, organic produce necessarily translates into higher prices. The two markets I mentioned are both independent and sell organic produce for a fraction of the cost. What people are buying into when they shop the Ferry Building Farmer's Market is aura.
I can see both sides of the deal. On one side, it is shocking to see some of the high prices at Farmer's Markets. We have strawberries down here selling for $3 per small basket.
On the other hand, those berries are so perishable that they will never be sold anywhere else. They are also by far the most delicious berries I have ever tasted.
One of my apple-growing friends says the money he makes by charging a lot at the Santa Monica market keeps his business afloat. Without that market and the high prices he commands there, no one would have access to the 100 varieties of apples he grows.
He sells at other, more rural markets and charges lower prices because he knows what the market will bear.
So those of us who choose to buy the best and choose to pay a premium for it may be supporting farmers in a way that is saving farms and subsidizing other buyers.
Fair? I dunno. I just know I am dang glad to be able to get a wide variety of wonderful produce.
Well said, Suebob.
I always got to the Ferry Building far too late to actually shop at any of the booths. A couple of very good food items inside (which are also expensive, but whatever, it's prime real estate) are the shrimp coquettes at the Japanese deli, and the quesdaillas and fish tacos at Mijita.
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