Grower-Only Farmers’ Markets: Public Spaces and Third Places
In the article Grower-Only Farmers’ Markets: Public Spaces and Third Places, by Thomas K
Tiemann, Farmers’ markets are discussed. The article is intended for just about any audience, it is very informative and interesting. Farmers’ markets are great places to not only get the freshest produce but also socialize. If you are a person that is interested in socializing, which at some point most people are, farmers’ markets are fun places to go.
This article uses a couple subject specific vocabulary terms. The first is indigenous market; this is where traditional produce is sold like tomatoes, corn, and potatoes. The second is experience market, this is the farmers’ market where not only produce is sold but also sundries like soap, crafts, meat, and other goods.
This article is logically organized; it starts with an example of a current farmers market. Then explains how farmers’ markets vary in style, products, and produce offered. Then it ends with a conclusion that not only ends the article but also summarizes it. The main ideas are clearly presented and easy to understand and relate to. The article is very descriptive and gives extensive detail.
The text is very easy to read and understand. Every thought is explained and backed up by research. The research included very interesting information like how not all farmers’ markets are the same some are more gauged towards the local grower and others have resellers that obtained their produce from a wholesale farm.
The key idea to take away from this article is that farmers markets are not just places to buy produce but also to socialize just like you would in a coffee shop or in a bar. Some farmers’ markets are more for socializing than for shopping. This goes for the farmers as well not just the customers. In many markets you will find older farmers that don’t bring much produce to sell, but come for the conversation and friendships they have developed over the years.
The farmers’ markets in the article are explained as Third place markets. The term third place explains an establishment or event where there is opportunity for fellowship and socialization. In many cases the markets have become tourist attractions and have become very popular. The amount of farmers markets in the United States has doubled in the last 10 years.
With the number of parks, coffee shops and other social venue’s getting smaller, a concept like a farmers’ market is very attractive. The days of going down to the local drug store or soda fountain to hang out are over. Just like the drug stores use to be, there is very little similarities between the farmers’ markets. Most of them are designed to fit the likes and needs of the local community. All the farmers’ markets have one thing in common, the produce changes with the season. Whatever crop came in that week that is what they sell. That is the down side to fresh produce; it isn’t going to be the same all the time. You have to enjoy it while it lasts.
References:
TIEMANN, K. (June 2008). Grower-Only Farmers' Markets: Public Spaces and Third Places
The Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 41, Issue 3, 2008 p. 467-487
2008, Copyright the AuthorsJournal compilation 2008, Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
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4 comments:
Hi Adam! Great post! I love going to the local Farmer's Market that is set up almost every weekend at our Court House. I would much rather buy produce from a local farmer, rather than from the grocery store which has produce shipped from who knows where.
When I was a little girl, I used to go with my grandfather to a farmers market, I can remember eating some of the best tasting fruit. I never thought of it as a socialization place, but now that you have mentioned it; I do remember my grandfather knowing many of the people there and stopping to talk to them.
I think I might have to try and find one near Columbus, sometimes when I buy fruit or vegetables at the grocery it just doesn't taste very good. Good post!!!
Adam,
I love your article. Being from the south, there is an abundance of farmer's markets and we can just drive down the road and are likely to come up on an old truck filled with some type of produce sitting on the side of the road.
It seems the trend in the recent years has been to go "organic" and so there are more farmer's markets as a result, but any time I want a melon or some fresh fruit, I can be at a stand just up the road from my house in 5 minutes. It sure beats buying cleaned, waxed, and polished fruit at the grocery store.
Nice post!
David Ackerman
I will take a different look at farmers' markets now. The idea of public spaces and third places and how these are diminishing, is concerning. As stated they should be fun places to go and to be social. I become iritiated if I stop at a farmer's market and find commercial products, I want homegrown. A true farmers' market should only offer what the farmer produces. As mentioned in the article, we need these venues to maintain ownership of the public spaces. I feel the farmers' market keep us grounded in the socialization needed to prevent isolation of "us" as a society. Nice analysis.
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