Farmers' markets a racially biased cause of 'environmental gentrification,' professors say

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

17 minutes ago, bcking said:

Interesting information. They didn't given data specifically on honey listed as "raw" that is sold in grocery stores. They mention organic, but obviously that isn't the same thing (Even the concept of "organic honey" seems a little difficult for me to grasp....how do you control the honey bees?). I know we buy raw honey...but honestly that just because my wife says "Buy raw honey" and I say "Okay".

 

I don't like that the second article just uses "Raw Organic Honey" as if Raw and Organic always go together. I agree with them on Raw honey, but I just don't see the point in certifying honey as "organic" unless you own enough land to occupy the entire pollination range of your honey bees.

The term organic is misleading on SO many levels.  When it comes to bees and honey, perhaps even more so.  Keepers of bees often use chemicals to keep their hives mite free, which is a big issue for colonies.  Some treat for hive beetles.  Some don’t treat for either one.  Even if they don’t use chemicals, there is NO WAY to tell if there are chemicals in the honey, because there is no way to tell where bees are getting their “juice” from.

 

But back to the raw thing... I can’t remember if it’s a state thing, or what, but I know a lot of supermarkets only stock “regular honey” which has been pasteurized and filtered.  To find truly raw honey is a bonus.  If you have a chance, scan your labels to ensure there is no mention of pasteurizing.  Often, honey is heated then filtered just to make it flow faster thru the filters and to make bottling easier.  It is not required, because the honey is too acidic for bacteria to grow (normally), and too dry (<18% water) for the naturally occurring yeasts to ferment (this is why honey lasts forever, and has to have water add in order to turn it into mead).

 

At any rate, if you ARE able to buy truly raw honey at your local grocery store, take advantage of it!  Still, it is always better to get local honey, because it will contain local pollens that can provide more health and resistance benefits than imported honey.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

1 minute ago, TBoneTX said:

Reminder of a joke (doctor joke, no less):

 

A man bursts into his doctor's office.  The man has a banana in his left ear, a rutabaga in his right ear, and a cucumber up his nose.  "What's the matter with me, Doc?" he cries.

 

"You're not eating properly," says the doctor.

Wonder if it’s this same guy?

 

Guy goes to his doctor, telling him about these weird dreams he’s been having.  

“Doc, sometimes I have a dream that I am a wigwam, and other times, I dream that I am a teepee. I wake up from these troubling dreams, and can’t sleep!  I’m all worked up, and not resting well?  What’s wrong with me, Doc?”

 

The doctor looked at him and replied, “Relax, you’re just two tents.”

[TBoneTX 46,119]

Or, "I was having nightmares about red, yellow, and purple hogs, but my shrink told me that they were merely pigments of my imagination."

[yuna628 9,712]

I'm not really sure that I agree with the premise of the article here.... as a poor kid in the inner city I lived close by to one of the big basilicas... they would have a farmer's market every week. Almost all vendors were local farmers and a few from PA. You could find people of all races and faiths too. One of our big markets is held under a city bridge that is also very diverse. Out here in the middle of nowhere, we strangely don't have a lot of options - but our local Mennonite families provide some of the best produce around at their market. Some is local, some is not. I can't really see any 'rich' people buying produce at any of these places. The stuff can be pricey depending on the season and the weather... but you won't find as good stuff in a wallyworld that's for sure.

 

Now in PA... there are tons of 'touristy' trap markets... unless you really know where to go. You can always spy the clueless rich people and snobs from miles away. My husband likes raw honey, but unless you go to another county and to the very very big upscale supermarket, the only place you can really find it is either via local Amish or a few specific sellers in PA.

 

 I miss the old fashioned markets in the UK. My FiL buys local chicken and eggs all the time.

[bcking 3,157]

17 minutes ago, IDWAF said:

The term organic is misleading on SO many levels.  When it comes to bees and honey, perhaps even more so.  Keepers of bees often use chemicals to keep their hives mite free, which is a big issue for colonies.  Some treat for hive beetles.  Some don’t treat for either one.  Even if they don’t use chemicals, there is NO WAY to tell if there are chemicals in the honey, because there is no way to tell where bees are getting their “juice” from.

 

But back to the raw thing... I can’t remember if it’s a state thing, or what, but I know a lot of supermarkets only stock “regular honey” which has been pasteurized and filtered.  To find truly raw honey is a bonus.  If you have a chance, scan your labels to ensure there is no mention of pasteurizing.  Often, honey is heated then filtered just to make it flow faster thru the filters and to make bottling easier.  It is not required, because the honey is too acidic for bacteria to grow (normally), and too dry (<18% water) for the naturally occurring yeasts to ferment (this is why honey lasts forever, and has to have water add in order to turn it into mead).

 

At any rate, if you ARE able to buy truly raw honey at your local grocery store, take advantage of it!  Still, it is always better to get local honey, because it will contain local pollens that can provide more health and resistance benefits than imported honey.

You sound like a budding apiarist...or professional?

 

I don't know about state regulations, I just know I see raw honey in my Houston Kroger. I honestly don't remember in NY/CA when I lived in those states.

 

10 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

I'm not really sure that I agree with the premise of the article here.... as a poor kid in the inner city I lived close by to one of the big basilicas... they would have a farmer's market every week. Almost all vendors were local farmers and a few from PA. You could find people of all races and faiths too. One of our big markets is held under a city bridge that is also very diverse. Out here in the middle of nowhere, we strangely don't have a lot of options - but our local Mennonite families provide some of the best produce around at their market. Some is local, some is not. I can't really see any 'rich' people buying produce at any of these places. The stuff can be pricey depending on the season and the weather... but you won't find as good stuff in a wallyworld that's for sure.

 

Now in PA... there are tons of 'touristy' trap markets... unless you really know where to go. You can always spy the clueless rich people and snobs from miles away. My husband likes raw honey, but unless you go to another county and to the very very big upscale supermarket, the only place you can really find it is either via local Amish or a few specific sellers in PA.

 

 I miss the old fashioned markets in the UK. My FiL buys local chicken and eggs all the time.

I think I've just happened to live in areas where Farmer's Markets have a very different feel (unfortunately). When we first moved to Houston we tried frequenting our local ones, but they were all underwhelming. What general produce that was present honestly wasn't that fresh looking, and was over priced. At least 75% of the markets were "filler" stalls of what i would describe as "luxury impulse buys" (Pricey cheese, coffee, bacon/jerky) or ready to eat items (food carts etc...). We just got the impression that people were going to the markets for the purpose of "going to the farmer's market", as opposed to going to actually get grocery shopping done in any reasonable way. In NYC I didn't frequent them too much just because it was convenient (none close to me, and the prospect of riding the subway or taking a taxi with groceries never encouraged me). In San Diego it was similar to Houston. Mostly well to do people that seemed to be there more to chat, eat ready made food and buy random impulse purchases and not regular weekly produce.

 

Before my wife moved to the USA she was using a weekly produce box that would just be delivered to her apartment from local farms. I forget which one she used, but there are several in the UK (I know they also exist in the US...we couldn't find a good one in Houston). Her chicken and eggs, where she grew up, would be from a family friend. Her parents still get their milk delivered to the door.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

21 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Or, "I was having nightmares about red, yellow, and purple hogs, but my shrink told me that they were merely pigments of my imagination."

Dont give up your mod job. Oh dear. 

[Ban Hammer 13,548]

28 minutes ago, Nature Boy Flair said:

Dont give up your mod job. Oh dear. 

i heard there was an insult towards moderators...........

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

1 minute ago, Ban Hammer said:

i heard there was an insult towards moderators...........

 

5 minutes ago, Ban Hammer said:

i heard there was an insult towards moderators...........

No one that is still here would dream of such a thing 

[-Trinity- 513]

1 hour ago, yuna628 said:

.

 I miss the old fashioned markets in the UK. My FiL buys local chicken and eggs all the time.

1

Me too, Dutch markets that in my case.

 

[Dashinka 24,792]

3 hours ago, Nature Boy Flair said:

So organic foods are more healthy ?

My wife thinks so.

[Dashinka 24,792]

2 hours ago, yuna628 said:

I'm not really sure that I agree with the premise of the article here.... as a poor kid in the inner city I lived close by to one of the big basilicas... they would have a farmer's market every week. Almost all vendors were local farmers and a few from PA. You could find people of all races and faiths too. One of our big markets is held under a city bridge that is also very diverse. Out here in the middle of nowhere, we strangely don't have a lot of options - but our local Mennonite families provide some of the best produce around at their market. Some is local, some is not. I can't really see any 'rich' people buying produce at any of these places. The stuff can be pricey depending on the season and the weather... but you won't find as good stuff in a wallyworld that's for sure.

 

Now in PA... there are tons of 'touristy' trap markets... unless you really know where to go. You can always spy the clueless rich people and snobs from miles away. My husband likes raw honey, but unless you go to another county and to the very very big upscale supermarket, the only place you can really find it is either via local Amish or a few specific sellers in PA.

 

 I miss the old fashioned markets in the UK. My FiL buys local chicken and eggs all the time.

I agree, we have several Farmers Markets here in SE Michigan the biggest one being Eastern Market in Detroit.  It has been there for years and features many local growers.  My wife and I go there occasionally and we see all kinds of people there and the prices are very reasonable.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

3 hours ago, bcking said:

You sound like a budding apiarist...or professional?

 

I’m a “used to bee”.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

1 hour ago, Bill & Katya said:

I agree, we have several Farmers Markets here in SE Michigan the biggest one being Eastern Market in Detroit.  It has been there for years and features many local growers.  My wife and I go there occasionally and we see all kinds of people there and the prices are very reasonable.

Been there.  Pretty good place.

[-Trinity- 513]

I don't know if this is considered off topic, but since it's about Farmers Markets, I have a question to ask to y'all:

 

If you buy jams at one if the Farmers Markets, what would you consider a reasonable price for an 8 oz jar?

 

*Mod, please don't kick me out*

[TBoneTX 46,119]

3 hours ago, Nature Boy Flair said:

No one that is still here would dream of such a thing 

Fear ye, all who enter and post here...