Is Local Food Affordable for Ordinary Folks?

Due to the recent jump in farmers' markets across the US (1,700 in the mid-ninties to over 7,000 in 2011) and the growing criticism that the local food movement is elitist and exceeds the budget of so many low-income and senior citizens, SCALE, Inc conducted a study comparing 24 markets in 16 communities across six states in Appalachia and the Southeast in September and October 2011.  What it found was that over all farmers' markets prices were comparable in cost to the local chain supermarkets (Food Lion and Kroger were used as comparison).  The study compared "apples to apples" meaning it compared local organic to supermarket organic prices and local conventional to supermarket conventional prices.  The study found that 74% of produce was lower in price at farmers' markets, by as much as 22%, and 88% of organic produce was less expensive, by as much as %16 than supermarkets.  It was difficult with meat and eggs because while at farmers' market most meat is pastured and grass finished it is very difficult and next to impossible to find pastured and grass finished meats and eggs in the supermarket.  When they did find those options at supermarkets the cost was only 10% cheaper as opposed to comparing it to conventional meats which was 47% cheaper at supermarkets.  They compared popular veggies such as zucchini, tomatoes, potatoes, and butternut squash, and eggs, chicken, breakfast sausage and beef roasts.
You can find all of these items and so much more at incredibly affordable prices at the Farmers' Market of Keene year round!

Welcome to the World Wide Web KFM!

Here we are...we did it...we have officially entered the 21st century.  Here is where you can find all sorts of information about the Farmers' Market of Keene.  The great thing about this website it that YOU can make contributions, share photos, stories, and articles.  You know the old saying "it takes a village to raise a child", well, that saying applies to this website too.  The Farmers' Market of Keene is not just a regular gathering of farmers selling their goods, it's a place to bring your family, see old neighbors, and connect with what's going on in your backyard.  Agriculture has always been the root of a community and now that we can extend our tendrils globally via the internet isn't it more important than ever to get back in touch with those roots?  I feel silly typing this question as I am about to post in the internet but my message is simple, come visit us, and your neighbors, and your friends' families...at the Farmers' Market of Keene.