Vindicated, at Last!
When I lived in San Francisco, I loved to go the the Ferry Building farmers' market for produce. This shot is of the inside of the Ferry Building, where there are permanent food-related shops, markets, and restaurants. The farmers' market is outside. 
I knew it was expensive, but I was willing to go for the superior products. Slowly, however, I began to feel like it actually wasn't more expensive than going to Safeway. Recently, this popular Bay Area blogger made a point by buying the same list of ingredients at both Safeway and the Ferry Building. She actually came out $9 ahead at the Ferry Building, and the products she got there were undoubtedly superior.
She says she was surprised, but I have to say I'm not. I only shop at chain supermarkets for packaged foods that can't be found elsewhere: dried pasta, canned vegetables, juice, soda, cereal, etc. Produce, fruit, seafood, and meat are usually expensive and are better off purchased at Asian markets (to save money) or gourmet and farmers' markets (for higher quality).
I knew it was expensive, but I was willing to go for the superior products. Slowly, however, I began to feel like it actually wasn't more expensive than going to Safeway. Recently, this popular Bay Area blogger made a point by buying the same list of ingredients at both Safeway and the Ferry Building. She actually came out $9 ahead at the Ferry Building, and the products she got there were undoubtedly superior.She says she was surprised, but I have to say I'm not. I only shop at chain supermarkets for packaged foods that can't be found elsewhere: dried pasta, canned vegetables, juice, soda, cereal, etc. Produce, fruit, seafood, and meat are usually expensive and are better off purchased at Asian markets (to save money) or gourmet and farmers' markets (for higher quality).
posted by Pei at
1:29 PM
6 Comments:
i read the becks n posh thread, and heard about the petrini argument, and it all seems like a sad, unnecessary tiff. i think we're all for a healthier, tastier link between the plow and the palate, so why can't we all just get along?
petrini is right to hope that good food is never seen as elitist, but he should remember that the fpfm is basically the tiffany's of produce in america right now. and not just any tiffany's, the 5th ave. one. hell, has he checked on real estate prices in sf? 2-3 times 'conventional' would be a bargain here.
even so, as suggested, safeway isn't always cheaper. and at the fpfm, he could put together an excellent, affordable meal in keeping with all of his worthy goals. sure, there are some jewel-like fruits of the earth here, but no one has to buy them, and where else should they come to market?
in attacking the flagship farmer's market in america, he's probably done more than anyone else to convince people that such things are elitist, absolutely opposite to his presumed intention. he should instead direct his energies to highlighting the expense of daily shopping at safeway. regardless, he should do more research (even casually like becksnposh and pei have) before he slings such arrows.
i hope someone can do a more exhaustive bit of research to put this thing to rest definitively and amicably.
By
Edward, At
5/23/2007 03:02:00 PM
Well put, Ed. I did forget to mention that the FPFM (Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market) is the single most expensive farmers' market I have ever been to. It is a place where farmers can come to show off their most treasured, rare, and unique crops. Duh those are expensive. There are also $1 bunches of herbs. The trick is to buy what's seasonal and plentiful, not get distracted by the $10/lb treasures.
Had Becks & Posh gone to a different farmers' market, she would have saved even more than the $9 she did by shopping at FPFM.
Bottom line is, of course everyone wants to save money. But if the choice is farmers' market vs. Safeway, would you rather have your money go directly to the farmers who grow delicious food and haul it to market the day after it's picked, or to a corporation that mass produces sub-par food and charges you for everything from petroleum for the delivery trucks to florescent lights in their megamarts?
Price being equal, I would hope most people would make the right choice.
By
Pei, At
5/23/2007 03:19:00 PM
The "it's elitist argument" makes my blood boil. Because it is usually made by agribusiness. I don't know who is elite if not billion-dollar corporations.
Even when it is cheaper, it's not really cheaper. A prime example is the Chesapeake Bay. The price tag for cleaning that up is in the billions. One of the major contributors to the pollution is agricultural runoff. Not only that, but without cleanup, you could really put a lot of fishermen out of business. There really is no such thing as a free lunch! Or cheap food.
By
claire, At
5/23/2007 04:16:00 PM
thanks for weighing in Pei,
~sam
By
Sam, At
5/23/2007 11:27:00 PM
Pei - blog request, please put up more yummy homemade food pics... hehe ... btw, I shall try your buttermilk Panna Cotta recipe tonight, will report to you on the result
By
Cat, At
5/24/2007 01:33:00 PM
Blog confessional: we were too busy with out of town guests last weekend to grocery shop, so we've been scrounging around the pantry and freezer, and eating out. It's kind of gross. I feel disgusting. I don't want you to see my shame.
By
Pei, At
5/24/2007 03:29:00 PM
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