The produce that one can buy at trader Joes travels an average of 2000 miles. All the farmers that sell at the Grandlake Market grow within a 100 mile radius. Grandlake's market is run by local growers.  We have 370 members 200 of which are farmers. We are a non-profit organization whose only task is to help small family farms survive by bringing them together with their communities to get the retail dollar and to bring the freshest best product possible to the people. These farmers are all small family farmers. Anyone who supports these farmers markets are voting to keep small family farms alive. Yes, the produce is more nutritional. It is a fact that the longer a vegetable or fruit stays on the vine, the more nutrients it absorbs; the sweeter the fruit, the more vitamins. Unfortunately, the produce that one gets at most grocery stores is treated with chemicals to make it last longer because it is picked so far in advance of it's peak. As for the cost, most times the produce at the market is lower in cost then trader Joes.  Now Wal-mart, we probably won't be able to beat, but then that's another debate. Once Wal-mart starts selling the 400 varieties of organic produce they plan on selling, it will increase the demand for farmers growing organically but will also hurt the small family farmer that will no longer be able to compete. There was a time that organic meant local. That is no longer the case. Organic can come from anywhere in the world and we do not know who is regulating the term organic in other countries.  We believe that local is now the most important term, because if you are buying locally, then at least you can have the conversation with the farmer. How does he/she grow her product; could they change etc.?
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Just to give you a small example of things that occur to our produce that is not labeled or identified:  Cherries, apricots and plums are jigged before they go to your chain grocery store. In fact, the farmer (factory farm) must verify that they jig the product before it is accepted into the store. This is just one more chemical that is sprayed on the fruit just as it is at it's firmest and just turning pink or orange to keep it firm for an additional 14 days after it is picked.  This costs $3500 an acre for the farmer. It's not good for you, and it increases the price of the product. Our farmers do not jig their fruits, and there are so many reasons why but primarily it's because they are bringing you a first quality product.  They know their customers and care about them.  We are family.  Find that commitment from a factory farm or from any big bushiness?  You can't and that's why  we cherish our small coffee shops and our mom and pop grocery stores.  Small business whether it's retail or farming has a bigger heart then big business, so let's do whatever we can to support them all.  I invite anyone who questions the value of family farming to visit a farm and see how much our farmers care about the food they bring to you on Market days.  I just lost two farmers, who just couldn't do it any more, too tired, and it always makes me sad that no one knows what they are doing for us on a daily basis, how much they care.  We need to let  them know how much we appreciate them for helping us to be sustainable communities. 
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Brigitte Moran
Executive Director
Marin County Farmers Market Association
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Bringing Farmers and Communities together for over 23 years in San Rafael, Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Novato, Fairfax, Marin County.