Recently I was in a conversation with some people in my area about our Farmers Market. I was curious about why people don't go and what would make them go, and if they went, why did they love it.A few of the comments that showed up was about prices for the products. One specifically said that the prices at the farmers market should be less than the prices at the grocery store. At first, that comment frustrated me, and then after thinking about it, I realized how people don't understand why there are price differences, and that there is a huge need for education when it comes to food, farmers, and government.
sub·si·dy
ˈsəbsədē/
noun
- 1.a sum of money granted by the government or a public body to assist an industry or business so that the price of a commodity or service may remain low or competitive.
"a farm subsidy"
Interestingly, you notice the example given is a farm subsidy. That's because that is one of the most common subsidies.
In a nutshell, the government gives large conventional farms money so they can operate. Without this assistance they wouldn't be able to afford to farm. You heard me, farmers couldn't farm because they don't make enough money off of what they produce. They have to depend on the government and go into hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. And because of this never-ending financial cycle, farmers have the highest suicide rate.
If these farmers, were to SOMEHOW be able to afford the debt to mass produce the food they do without government subsidies, you could guarantee grocery prices would be more than what you would pay at the farmers market.
Farmers at a farmers market are generally people who are creating something on their own without any financial aid. AND most of these farmers are producing a product that is superior in quality to conventionally grown foods. It takes a lot more work, time, and involvement to produce food not laden with chemicals and medicines, foods that are vibrant, healthy, and nutritious. This will give you an idea of what it costs to produce 1 pastured chicken:
$2.50 - purchase bird
$4.71 - non-gmo bird feed
Now remember, we do this full time to raise our family and there are labor costs involved. Most farmers don't include their labor, but if you can get paid hourly to run a store, a farmer better be paid to run a farm!
Now remember, we do this full time to raise our family and there are labor costs involved. Most farmers don't include their labor, but if you can get paid hourly to run a store, a farmer better be paid to run a farm!
Labor to feed, water and move twice a day for 84 days @1.2 min per day = 100.8 min
100.8 min = 1.68 hrs @ $15 per hour labor = $25.20
100.8 min = 1.68 hrs @ $15 per hour labor = $25.20
Labor to process ($15 per hour for 5 min)= $1.25
2.50+4.71+25.20+1.25= $33.66 to produce 1 bird.
Now, this does not include, cost of water, feeders, waterers, shelters, electricity for brooder lights, pasture value, etc.
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