Comments on: Farmers’ markets

By: Kevyn

Kevyn — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:20:15 +0000

Thanks for the info Andrew. I’ve never had this problem in the past. I think I might have planted them too far away from the shade of the fruit trees.

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: andrew

andrew — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 02:08:23 +0000

http://database.prota.org/dbtw-wpd/protabase/Photfile%20Images/Brassic a%20oleracea%20Cortes%2005NL-SG%204134.jpg

the picture on the left is how i like it, & that site also conveys this information:

Maturing cauliflower curds must be protected from direct sunlight by covering with broken-off leaves to prevent them from turning yellow and/or pink. Many modern cultivars are self-protecting, i.e. inner leaves wrap tightly around the curd.

http://database.prota.org/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?AC=QBE_QUERY&BU=ht tp%3A%2F%2Fdatabase.prota.org%2Fsearch.htm&TN=PROTAB~1&QB0=AND&QF0=Spe cies+Code&QI0=Brassica+oleracea+cauliflower+and+broccoli&RF=Webdisplay

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: andrew

andrew — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 01:36:43 +0000

cauliflowers are not supposed to be grown in the heat of summer, that could be half your problem
leaves covering them is fine – i prefer to buy them completely enclosed in leaf since it prevents degradation, but perhaps the availability of the flower in this condition depends on the time of day it is harvested?
the leaves aren’t like plastic bags which prevent breathing, they are water-filled organic protection for the flower.

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: andrew

andrew — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 01:17:02 +0000

certain supermarkets have stated that Thursdays are ideal for singles – singles are given a purple basket with a cartoon of a kissing couple, and offered a glass of champagne and a free photograph if they succeed in hooking up with a potential mate.

worst idea ever! how can they not realize people try to hook up in supermarkets rather than the traditional bars etc. precisely because it is a non-overt singles market – they want to get away from the pressure & hussle that surrounds the formal “singles scene”. they want to be able to spot people whose consumption indicates similar lifestyles or aspirations & then to slip easily into conversation using product-based chit chat as ice breakers.
now all of this is to be taken away from them as underlying every ice-breaking comment there will now be the ulterior dialogue “can we shag? can we shag? can we shag?” as plain as if spoken out loud – and all the pressure to establish sexual viability within a fleeting time span.
i predict the sort of people who regarded supermarkets as a place to score will stay away from the “singles nights” – as will most respectable people.

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: joy

joy — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:51:06 +0000

big bro,

As afr as I am aware, a farmer is a business person and must abide by all the relevant tax laws, certainly gst, income tax, lawful wage rates, OSH requirements, rates on their land.

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: dbuckley

dbuckley — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:48:30 +0000

As I noted in the Aussie supermarket duopoly comes under the spotlight topic (link), I’m not convinced that “New Zealand’s supermarket duopoly” is a bad thing, or that we would do better if there were more players in the market.

Of course, I may be completely wrong, but without a meaningful comprehensive numerical analysis (which would be a massive undertaking) I believe that the question is a long way from being answered.

I do like the pancakes I can get on a Sunday morning from the local farmers market, other than that, I can’t recall buying anything…

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: bjchip

bjchip — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 07:14:03 +0000

Phil

I am worried too, but there is not much I can do about it. There really aren’t any other places for a committed green.

Just have to keep plugging away at it.

respectfully
BJ

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: Kevyn

Kevyn — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 06:14:51 +0000

bb, You should check the relevant laws before making rash bets. Only one of the above questions can be answered in the negative.

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: big bro

big bro — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 02:55:17 +0000

Do farmers markets pay rates?
Do farmers markets have to abide by ridiculous OSH laws?
Do farmers markets pay the minimum wage (or any wage at all Sue B)?
Do farmers markets pay tax?
Do farmers markets pay GST?
Do farmers markets have union representation?

I would be willing to wager that most do none of the above, this MUST be difficult for left wing supporters to deal with….or does your dislike of big business mean that you can live with the double standard?

Farmers markets should have to abide by exactly the same rules as the rest who set up in business otherwise they are nothing more than parasites or scabs.

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: phil u

phil u — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 19:37:32 +0000

slip slap slop..?

phil(whoar.co.nz)

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: Kevyn

Kevyn — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:14:31 +0000

Anybody know a good way to stop caulis from getting sunburnt? Can I just peg a coupe of leaves together over the top or do they need to be able to “breathe”?

I buy my veges at the Warehouse. I find the ones that are “reduced to clear” generally crop a month later than the ones at the regular price. It’s a bit tricky to get the brocolli picking exactly right. Spuds are great, they pop up all over the place and don’t seem to need looking after. Just need lots of friends to give them away to.

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: Sam Clifford

Sam Clifford — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 11:34:03 +0000

I love my local organic farmers’ market. We get top quality fresh fruit and vegetables as well as our dairy and egg products. Buying locally means having access to much fresher produce than the supermarkets stock as well as providing an income to those who put in the hard work to provide us with good quality food at a reasonable price.

I’ve just started reading “The Plain Reader”, a collection of essays from “Plain” magazine which has links to the Luddite and Amish communities. I’m currently reading an essay by a Christian organic farmer from Ohio whose family all pull together to tend the farm. In their community, food is viewed as providing spiritual as well as physical sustenance as it brings the family together when they plant, tend and harvest and it brings their community together as they sell their harvest at the local farmers’ market to their neighbours and others in their community, acting as a social enabler as well as a way to trade goods for money.

You very rarely get the interactions typified by farmers’ markets in a supermarket setting. Not only is the grower absent but the staff aren’t paid to chat and everyone wants to get in, get their food and get out as soon as possible. Social interactions are limited to chatting in the carpark or at a nearby café with trolleys full of groceries.

While the supermarkets still provide me with some items that I can’t get at my local market (or organic specialty shops) I wouldn’t trade the bus trip and hauling of a granny trolley for supermarket food monoculture.

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: kane9

kane9 — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 08:50:10 +0000

Farmers markets certainly are a great way to meet people and share in an atmosphere of good food, produce and music/creativity.
However, as ‘Even’ (possibly) says, such markets can be a place for well to do folk to rub elbows, assuage some guilt and perhaps even revel in a smug feeling of ‘green-ness’ as they consume products out of reach for most of the great unwashed. At some point, with our current reality of burgeoning inflation, the hunger of the proles will come back to bite them on the bum.

Golden Bay is a curious place. It is blessed with reasonably clement climate and not too impoverished soils, coupled with an apparent alternative lifestyle culture, yet there is no farmers market. There are two small markets which simultaneously compete each Saturday vying for the attentions of (the now diminishing, petroreliant) summer holidayers. There are few produce stalls, and most of those drive in from over Takaka hill. The freshchoice supermarket has a monopoly, and the two cafes have a duopoly… to the extent that when a bunch of enthusiastic young hippies bring vibrance to the market with many stalls selling a plethora of home made healthy treats at realistic prices, the businesses in their greed find it necessary to send in the regulators. In my opinion markets will always be lacking whilst current conditions persist, which they won’t, then it will be better, if somewhat more desperate.

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: phil u

phil u — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 02:19:25 +0000

nowhere else to post it..

a way of getting around/past the heavy (self)-censorship on frogblog..

which takes the form of ‘we don’t talk about that around here..’

(seeing as you asked..)

but you have something to say about farmers markets..?

phil(whoar.co.nz)

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: joy

joy — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 02:09:43 +0000

Phil, Please enlighten me. What has your post got to do with Farmers Markets and local produce?

Likewise, Even, I just don’t get your point.

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: even

even — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 00:47:43 +0000

Until the well being of all citizens being able to afford to eat good food as a citizen right is a reality, everything else is just window dressing.
It’s great that politicians and others in society that enjoy such consumer benefits from salarys of those levels are able to enjoy such benefits; but the information made available and promoted by “Democrats for Social Credit” towards those ends, coming from completely outside the box and going as it does completely against the programming wisdom of our all consuming debt based finance system, wasn’t just for the benefit of having sharper looking talking heads on t.v. etc
Until the increased vitality of politicians and those of priviledge is reflected in NZ society by good food for all, it is crap, despite being worth more in polling numbers of say 50% for a large segment of the population who seem willing to vote for sweet nothings from spokespeople who don’t now look so decrepit.
The National Dividend of anti-inflationary money paid out to each individual citizen as their inheritance of the shared bounty of the land, which can go along way to establishing such rights for all in New Zealand society as DSC has always advocated, is about $14699 per head for over 4 million citizens according to the latest data.

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)

By: phil u

phil u — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:58:31 +0000

3 polls under 5%..

i at 9%..

which is the aberration..?

phil(whoar.co.nz)

Like or Dislike: 0 0 (0)