Reviews for: Alton Farmers' & Artisans' Market
The new location is nice, with lots of parking and more vendors.
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price fixing and collusion are illegal trade practices but offering competitive prices makes you a jerk somehow? Not to any consumer I know .....
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They have their prices in line with each other so NO ONE gets bent out of shape and they can all be fair to each other. There is a deeply HUGE inequality at all of the other Farm Markets in the area. And it is DEEPLY unfair to other vendors when they are undercut so they can not make profit. EVERY GROWER WORKS HARD!, and deserves to profit from their labor. But when you have a bunch of jerks who try to undercut their peers EVERYONE gets unhappy. That is no way to have a fair market. This way everyone can have peace and harmony. THAT IS WHAT MAKES A MARKET GOOD and run well. My hat is off to them. Vendors .Good for you! and Thanks for all your hard work.
There were about 40 booths set up, with lots of fruits, veges, and handmade items. I was excited to see that there were plenty of Calhoun peaches available (the *best* you will taste), as well as berries, tomatoes, summer squash, cucumbers, potatoes, etc. I was pleased to find some heirloom varieties present, as well! There were also baked goods, farm fresh eggs, canned pickles and jellies, flowers and herbs, a few native plants, and pretties like jewelry, crochet, and pottery. The prices were *very* reasonable, the vendors were friendly, and the quality was excellent!
I'll let you know what I bought, just as an illustration: a lovely lampworked glass pendant necklace, a quart of sweet peaches, 2 lbs. of early blue plums, a quart of doughnut peaches, a quart of golden plums (by far my fav find!), a dozen ears of sweet corn, a light wheat baguette, an apple pie, a gooey butter cake, and a quart of honey. Are you drooling yet? I wish I could post a picture to show you how gorgeous everything was! The smells as I drove home were intoxicating.
I was so inspired by my experience this morning that I had to log in here and add a review. The Alton Farmer's Market has really grown, and it is definitely worth checking out! I know that not every vendor plans to come every week, so some things may be hit and miss at this market. It has a core group of regulars, though, and I hope that many of the vendors that I met today will return. Note that the vendors are definitely packed up and gone by noon, so make sure you are there early enough to brows all the wares!
My whole family enjoyed the experience today. Give it a try ~ I think you will, too!
The guys with the hosta's A-OK good prices and good stock
I like the spot where they are now located, better parking and access and it seems like more vendors are able to set up this way.
Wish they had a longer season May-November would be great.
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Same price for different quality product is socialism. If you prefer socialism, [i.e., you're a democrat], then don't complain. If you prefer capitalism, then either take your business elsewhere or buy the better quality product.