Deceiving the consumer

[Kidds]

Went back a couple of years ago, couldn't believe how big it had got.

Currently doubling the width of the entrance driveway to accommodate the thriving drive through.

 

[neilo]

Some dickish comments on here.
We started our farmers market 22 years ago, in that time it has generated hundreds of thousands of pounds in and for the local rural economy, jobs, multiplier effect for village shops etc etc.
There were farmers selling at the market this morning who have a waiting list to join their home delivery schemes, who sell everything they produce before it is born/ planted, at a price of their setting, with no taxpayer handouts.
Oh, and the hardcore supporters of our market ? People who belong to FoE, Wildlife trust, RSPB etc etc. The people you love to hate. The one category of society we never see shopping there ? Yup, 'proper' farmers.

To be fair, ‘farmers markets’ are just another retail outlet, nothing more.

As for having a waiting list on their produce, I would suggest that’s often just down to the marketing, or image presented. I know someone that used to do organic box veg, all supposedly grown on his Cotswold farm. Of course demand from those very customers you mentioned, meant he grew fast and he soon couldn’t keep up with demand. No problem though, there’s always a wholesale market to top up from. As long as the story’s there, nobody really looks any further do they.

Good luck to you if you can add value by telling the story that some customers are willing to pay for currently though.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Some dickish comments on here.
We started our farmers market 22 years ago, in that time it has generated hundreds of thousands of pounds in and for the local rural economy, jobs, multiplier effect for village shops etc etc.
There were farmers selling at the market this morning who have a waiting list to join their home delivery schemes, who sell everything they produce before it is born/ planted, at a price of their setting, with no taxpayer handouts.
Oh, and the hardcore supporters of our market ? People who belong to FoE, Wildlife trust, RSPB etc etc. The people you love to hate. The one category of society we never see shopping there ? Yup, 'proper' farmers.

They'll be at the supermarket - buying "proper" food and reading "proper" labels and having proper conversations (with cashiers)

pleasantries

convenience

(these are busy people)

 

[kiwi pom]

Some dickish comments on here.
We started our farmers market 22 years ago, in that time it has generated hundreds of thousands of pounds in and for the local rural economy, jobs, multiplier effect for village shops etc etc.
There were farmers selling at the market this morning who have a waiting list to join their home delivery schemes, who sell everything they produce before it is born/ planted, at a price of their setting, with no taxpayer handouts.
Oh, and the hardcore supporters of our market ? People who belong to FoE, Wildlife trust, RSPB etc etc. The people you love to hate. The one category of society we never see shopping there ? Yup, 'proper' farmers.

Fair enough but there are rogues at farmers markets just as in other parts of retail.
Food at a farmers market should be cheaper than the supermarket shouldn't it?

What sort of checks are there to ensure their produce is what they say it is and meets current food standards?

 

[multi power]

You should ask them but UK and EU does not mean it isn't 100% UK, a bit like "may contain nuts" usually means it probably doesn't.

If it's from the EU it's definitely not UK

 

[Old Boar]

Most farmers markets are fairly strictly run. A good FM organiser visits the farm, sees the animals/crops etc, and there is a fair bit of paperwork with the EHO, weights and measures etc. I could be visited any time by a range of people. They used to love turning up in the middle of the Christmas rush, when you could not see me for piles of sausages.

An honest stallholder will have pictures of his produce being grown/produced, so if in doubt ask if you can see pics.

Food festivals on the other hand are a free for all. There is no legal definition of "local" so people selling olives, oranges etc turned up. People saw the queues at my stall, and suddenly there were multiple people selling Wild Boar, none of whom had any Boar. They did not last long after someone visited them and found one old pink sow on the place.

Labelling is a legal minefield. It can be labelled UK if the last major thing that happened to goods took place in the UK, so, for example, whole pig carcasses cut in the UK are legally allowed to label UK. This has to change so we can be sure that if we are buying British, it is British.

 

[Kidds]

If it's from the EU it's definitely not UK

I reckon a few folk in NI could tell you different.

 

[Wheatseeker]

Bought what we presumed was 100% British (Somerset) Gammon steaks today from a local shop..... but it would seem not once we spotted a label underneath the top one,which although blurry says “midland meat company made using EU&British pork”

As far as food labelling this is technically OK (unbelievably). The reason being it is ‘British’ if the last major process takes place here. Only applies to processed food. So if for example it is Danish pig meat cured here it can be labelled as British bacon. How ridiculous is that ? That is why we need to take back control of the message on food packaging on UK produce and cut out this type of sharp practice that misleads the consumer.

 

[JCMaloney]

Labelling is a legal minefield. It can be labelled UK if the last major thing that happened to goods took place in the UK, so, for example, whole pig carcasses cut in the UK are legally allowed to label UK. This has to change so we can be sure that if we are buying British, it is British.

And therein is the problem.

After 30+ years in the meat trade from slaughterhouse, through retail and lastly in catering the primary source of mis-leading labelling is caused by "last point of primary process".

The label should clearly state the country the animal spent the majority of it`s life. Not where it was shipped to/from nor where it was processed.

Then people could make a properly informed judgement.

 

[Ducati899]

As far as food labelling this is technically OK (unbelievably). The reason being it is ‘British’ if the last major process takes place here. Only applies to processed food. So if for example it is Danish pig meat cured here it can be labelled as British bacon. How ridiculous is that ? That is why we need to take back control of the message on food packaging on UK produce and cut out this type of sharp practice that misleads the consumer.

crazy isn’t it
But my issue with it is that the label on top says “made in Somerset” using local pork and then underneath the label is from some wholsesaler in Walsall,only bought them because we thought they were locally-ish produced

 

[Steevo]

As far as food labelling this is technically OK (unbelievably). The reason being it is ‘British’ if the last major process takes place here. Only applies to processed food. So if for example it is Danish pig meat cured here it can be labelled as British bacon. How ridiculous is that ? That is why we need to take back control of the message on food packaging on UK produce and cut out this type of sharp practice that misleads the consumer.

So on that logic, a British man murdered in the Netherlands could be considered a Dansih National.

 

[neilo]

crazy isn’t it
But my issue with it is that the label on top says “made in Somerset” using local pork and then underneath the label is from some wholsesaler in Walsall,only bought them because we thought they were locally-ish produced

Absolutely. That’s the most concerning bit for me.

 

[thesilentone]

Yes, the old labeling and where/ what the provenance of the product was within the EU was, erm to be polite misleading.

However, I think this maybe a storm in teacup. The hidden labeling maybe 100% correct, however it will no longer be possible for us to use it, as we are no longer members of the EU. So, they have a stuck a new label over it.

 

[Tarw Coch]

And therein is the problem.

After 30+ years in the meat trade from slaughterhouse, through retail and lastly in catering the primary source of mis-leading labelling is caused by "last point of primary process".

The label should clearly state the country the animal spent the majority of it`s life. Not where it was shipped to/from nor where it was processed.

Then people could make a properly informed judgement.

This only seems to apply beyond the farm gate, buy an in calf heifer from Europe, milk her for several years and when the time comes for her to go she’s still classed as a foreigner yet the food processors can turn something foreign into British in a matter of days

 

[Ducati899]

Yes, the old labeling and where/ what the provenance of the product was within the EU was, erm to be polite misleading.

However, I think this maybe a storm in teacup. The hidden labeling maybe 100% correct, however it will no longer be possible for us to use it, as we are no longer members of the EU. So, they have a stuck a new label over it.

I just think someone buys it in from a wholesaler and flogs it off as their own locally sourced gammon

 

[Ball acre]

I will only buy pork like this from John Thorners. Where it's all local stuff. I won't buy this kind of thing from supermarkets any longer either as you cook it and 10 tonnes of brine comes out and you are left with a miserable looking excuse for a meal.

@ollie989898 . Next time you go, take a closer look. For example, the piles of pre-packed bacon may say SOMERSET in large writing but look at the small print, bottom left. If in doubt call the supplier whose name is also on the packet. Check out the pre-packed ham etc. Your welcome

 

[ollie989898]

@ollie989898 . Next time you go, take a closer look. For example, the piles of pre-packed bacon may say SOMERSET in large writing but look at the small print, bottom left. If in doubt call the supplier whose name is also on the packet. Check out the pre-packed ham etc. Your welcome

I know what you mean, I say 'local' but don't for one second believe the pork is all from Somerset- I doubt it even could be. I've had this discussion before with the butcher there, they can't source what they need from local producers alone.

 

[teslacoils]

they can't source what they need from local producers alone.

In which case, surely it won't be labelled as local?

 

[Ball acre]

I know what you mean, I say 'local' but don't for one second believe the pork is all from Somerset- I doubt it even could be. I've had this discussion before with the butcher there, they can't source what they need from local producers alone.

The bacon is all from Holland.

 

[ollie989898]

The bacon is all from Holland.

What the fudge? You're kidding me?