Avoiding The Farmers Market Scam

The Scam At Your Local Farmers Market

[Updated 1 February 2023]We’ve been going to our local farmers market for years and until I saw it on the news last night it never crossed my mind there even was a farmers market scam – well, you live and learn.

The farmers market scam isn’t that you are robbed, not exxxaaactly. But you are being offered products that have been commercially produced using chemicals and growth hormones to mention just two of my primary objections. Fine unless it says organically produced. Plus it has probably been brought in from another state, not so local after all – and that’s the scam.

Long before they became fashionable, local farmers have been regularly offloading their surplus vegetables and home cooked preserves at local prices. Once a month on the first Saturday, we can fill the refrigerator and freezer to bursting for excellent prices. Basically, what we don’t or can’t grow, we buy at the market.

The local producers who keep the market thriving have been doing so for decades. We mostly know each other at least on nodding terms. I’ve bought rare breed hens from one who has a passion for them. What I’m trying to say is there is no scam here, the market is part of the fabric of the community – interlopers and potential fraudsters would be spotted before they got through the gate. Off the highway probably.

But what if you’re new to the area or have never been to an open farmers market before? How can you tell whether you’re buying rejects from commercial producers and being ripped off, or getting locally produced organic vegetables?

What is a Farmers Market

A Farmers market is a marketplace where locally grown and produced agricultural products are sold directly to consumers, often by the farmers themselves. They provide an opportunity for consumers to purchase fresh, locally-sourced food products and support local farmers and the local economy.

Actually, there are a few things you can do to unmask any veggie pretenders and here are my top tips!

Farmers Market Scam Busting Tips

• If a stall has a handwritten sign saying the produce is organic, ask to see their certificate. To be honest most organic produces are so proud of their status, you’ll see it displayed somewhere prominent anyway. You can find out more from the USDA Organic by clicking the link –  or click the logo.

• The produce won’t look as clean or regular in size and shape, largely because it hasn’t been rejected by a big food store – why do we all like our veggies a uniform shape?

• Mud glorious mud – you rarely find any on pre-washed store-bought produce, but farmers who have gotten up early to harvest their crop and bring it to the market probably will have given the carrots a cursory brush off, a wash and set are unlikely!

• Still on the subject of soil – what color is the soil in your area? Locally grown produce is likely to have a soil of the same color clinging to the roots, so have a look. You can also ask about the variety of tomato or zucchinis – if they don’t know they didn’t grow it.

• Likewise, the product may have been chilled if gathered the night before, but it won’t have been refrigerated nor brought in a refrigerated lorry. If it feels very cold and has condensation on it – walk away. Genuine local farmers are more likely to bring products in the back of a cattle wagon and horse boxes are often seen used for potatoes and corn!

• Local vegetables and fruit are going to be in season in your area right now. Anything exotic or in season in a more southern or northern state has traveled a long way to get to you – leave it alone.

Farmers markets are a great source of healthy organic vegetables and fruit, preserves and pickles, plus a good gossip with stallholders as you move around and we love going, especially around Christmas time…

Yes, it seems farmers market scams are certainly out there, but so are the genuine thing. Following even one or two of the above tips will help you get what you’ve paid for and it’ll also help genuine organic and local producers to keep their reputation and popularity intact.

So don’t be put off, just be inquisitive and chatty with stallholders. You’ll soon know those who are genuine and invite you to taste the products before buying, will happily show off their organic certificates and who above all want you to enjoy the food you buy from them.

We won’t talk about the others anymore –and if we don’t buy from them soon they won’t be there anymore.

10 Ways to Spot a Fake Farmers Market

Here are ten ways to spot a fake farmers market:

• Lack of local vendors: If non-local vendors or chain stores dominate the market, it’s likely not a genuine farmers market.

• Pre-packaged produce: If the product is pre-packaged, pre-cut, or pre-washed, it’s not likely to have been grown locally.

• Produce that’s not in season: If the market is selling products that are not in season in your area, it’s a red flag.

• Mass-produced products: If the vendors are selling mass-produced products, such as baked goods, jams, and sauces. It’s possible that they’re not made from locally-sourced ingredients.

• No interaction with farmers: If the vendors are not willing to talk about their products or farming practices. It’s a sign that they may not be legitimate farmers.

• Prices that are good to be true: If the prices of the products are significantly lower than those at grocery stores or other farmers markets. It may be a sign of subpar quality or that the products are not locally grown.

• Poor quality produces: If the product appears to be overripe, underripe, or of poor quality. It’s possible that it was not grown locally or was grown in a subpar environment.

• Non-local signage and branding: If the vendors are using non-local signage or branding. It’s possible that they’re not from the area and are simply trying to take advantage of the farmers market concept.

• Lack of variety: If the market is only offering a limited variety of products. It’s possible that the vendors are not genuine farmers and are instead importing products from elsewhere.

• No farm-to-table focus: If the market doesn’t have a strong focus on the farm-to-table concept, connecting consumers with local farmers and their products. It may not be a genuine farmers market.

Five Fake Farmer Stories

1. The Farmer who Discovered a Treasure: A farmer discovered an ancient treasure buried in his fields. He became rich overnight, but his newfound wealth brought him more problems than he bargained for.
2. The Farmer who Tamed the Wild Beast: A farmer in a remote village tamed a wild beast that had terrorized the town for years. He became known as the beast tamer, and soon people from far and wide came to see the amazing sight.
3. The Farmer who Built a Flying Machine: A farmer with a passion for engineering built a flying machine in his barn. He took it for a test flight and soon became the talk of the town. Everyone was not happy with his invention.
4. The Farmer who Became a Superhero: A farmer gained superpowers after being struck by lightning. He used his powers to help the people in his community but struggled to balance his superhero duties and farming responsibilities.
5. The Farmer who Solved a Mystery: A farmer solved a long-standing mystery about a missing person. He put together the puzzle pieces and helped the police find the culprit, becoming known as a detective farmer.