Bandon Farmer’s Market quiet last week
Posted on August 20, 2006, by Conor O'Neill, under BandonFarmersMarket.
I finally made it down to the market last week after missing three in a row. A lot of the usual stalls were missing presumably due to holidays etc and it was a quick dash and grab by Fionn, Sibéal and I.
More stunning steaks from Aherns, some interesting and tasty Portuguese salt from Ummera, some veg from the veg man and some brot from the Baking Emporium in Dunmanway and I was done.
It struck me that it may be worthwhile for the organisers to do a few surveys at the market. I’d love to know some facts like:
- Are you very local, local, passing through or a tourist?
- Is this your first visit?
- How many times have you been here?
- Are you regular?
- Will you be back?
- What do you buy?
- What are you favourite aspects of the market?
- What are your least favourite aspects?
- What is it missing?
- How often would you like to see the market happen?
For me, I think the market is superb but there is a definite tendency to the high end of things. I would love to see more basic produce suppliers there like the veg man but selling at supermarket cost or below (due to the lack of a middleman).
I’ll post the next set of dates for the market when I find them out. I didn’t know a few of the recent ones were happening until the day before. All in all it has been a great few months for the market and I see it getting better and better.
tags: Bandon+Farmers+Market
6 Replies to "Bandon Farmer’s Market quiet last week"
conor on August 21, 2006
Good point about the prices. Having said that, the guy with the stall outside his farm near the Halfway roundabout does tend to have both great produce and great value but then his transport costs are pretty low!
I’m of the “local first” midset. I’d prefer local non-organic spuds to something organic flown in from The Netherlands. I think the success of the market will encourage more small farmers to set up stall. Around Barryroe and Dunworley there seems to be a lot of spud and corn growers, I’d love to see some of those guys turn up. Maybe we can even get Joy Larkom out of retirement!
Apart from non-organic ground and non-organic seed, I was pretty organic in my veg growing this year in my new raised bed. When I say “organic”, I actually mean I stuck the stuff in the ground, ignored it for a few months and then ate it. A perfect year of weather really. Damn garlic never grew but I have sorrel coming out of my ears.
Anthony Creswell on August 21, 2006
I’ve just heard that the Bandon Market is on again this Saturday, August 26th, so look forward to seeing you all there!
I think one of the problems with Bandon Market is that no one is quite sure when it is on! Initially, it was going to be once a month, but the first one was so successful that it became fortnightly; however, the feeling is that maybe it should be weekly, then there can be no doubt if it is this Saturday or next? It is every Saturday!
However some stallholders do have other commitments on Saturdays!
conor on August 21, 2006
It’s a bit nerdy but it probably makes sense for one of the organisers to set up a simple blog for the market over at Wordpress.com.
I’m happy to keep posting stuff here about it but the “message” may be lost by being mixed in with all my other crap!
They could then post all the dates on it for people to find.
Actually, it might be very useful as a group blog so that any stall-holder could do posts and talk about what they sell and what new stuff they have. Or they could have others do it on their behalf.
A few simple signs at the market with the URL on it would do the trick. Much easier than setting up a web-page. What do you think? Might be worth mentioning to Dianne?
Anthony Creswell on August 21, 2006
Good idea and will mention to Di. Could be a first?
conor on August 21, 2006
If they are up for it, then I’ll obviously help out with setup, themes, links and a guiding hand to anyone who wants to learn how to do posts and insert pictures etc.
I’m pretty sure it is the first Irish Farmer’s market to have an event listed on Upcoming.org and Eventful.com
The first one to have a blog? Now that’s potentially a story for Nationwide to cover!
Podchef on August 21, 2006
Great list of survey questions.
However, due to the economies of scale and the complete lack of subsidies for market stall farmers I doubt you will see lower than grocer prices. That bit extra is well worth the freshness, and support of your local economy. And if its Organic, than all the better.
The other thing too is, by supporting one or two farmers at their stall you begin to get some lattitude in suggesting things they grow, get the odd extra carrot, parsnip or handful of beans thrown in for free or get an invite out to the farm with a bottle of beer thrown in during the visit.
Like you survey shows–its more than just the food/specialty stuff which should attract, and re-attract one to the market. It’s a sense of community, place and support for the local economy and farmers–Two Fingers in the eye of ADM, Monsanto, and bland, chemically rich, flavorless veg and meats. For that, I always share what little extra I’ve got.