Competition for weekly Farm Markets

[morganlady]

I've shopped at Makuu, not just for fresh produce, but kitchen ware.
I was wondering who or how is that outside vendor at Walmart selling produce? Is he there every day? Is it just one vendor? What's the scoop?

[JerryCarr]

The WalMart produce operation appears to be a single vendor, and they are generally there every day, although I have found them to be closed on occasion. Overall their prices seem to be OK, but not everything is a good deal. Quality is also OK overall, but sometimes we have found an item or two needing to be thrown out or composted. Of course that's also true of a few grocery stores around here.

Cheers,
Jerry

[james weatherford]

At one time, it was my understanding that the vendor(s) at Wal Mart is 'Panaewa Farmers Association', from Hawaii Hawaiian Homestead, like Makuu Farmers Association.



James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park

[Guest]

Does anyone know if someone is still selling produce from Costco at the Maku'u Farmers Market? I think I heard that hear on PW.

[roseroo14]

If you see a little sticker on the fruit or veg. It was most likely bought from a store and not grown locally. Wow, go figure, go to Costco and buy stuff and resell it at Makuu market. What the heck it saved you the trip to the other side.

The Lack

[Jon]

I would not be surprised at anything being sold at the Maku'u Market... One Sunday I say a booth with a guy selling DVD's.... nice burnt copies...


-----------------------------------------------------------
I do not believe that America is better than everybody else...
America "IS" everybody else.

[ef9]

I wonder how much it cost to setup a stand outside of WalMart, where there are tons of passerbys(is that a word?).

Stan

quote:

---

Originally posted by morganlady

I've shopped at Makuu, not just for fresh produce, but kitchen ware.
I was wondering who or how is that outside vendor at Walmart selling produce? Is he there every day? Is it just one vendor? What's the scoop?

---

[Greg]

It's true that some of the vendors sell vegies they don't grow themselves(red potatoes). When I've asked, they're up front about it and don't represent the products as "home grown". I see this as a benificial service, as the price is competitive and like Tom says: It saves me a trip. If they tried to pass it off as their own, it would be a different matter.

[rbakker]

"passerbys(is that a word?)."

Passersby!

I heard it only costs $20 to get a booth at Makuu market, is that true? I see people selling orchids for $5 when you can buy them in Pahoa for $2. I thought maybe I'd set up a booth and sell them for $4. Only need to sell 10 to break even.

[Greg]

The booth fee is a very reasonable $20. You participation would be very welcome. I think there would be a demand for more vegi/herb starts there also.

If you're interested, the vendors are let in at 5:30 am and issued a number as they enter. The association starts calling numbers at 6:00am. First numbers get first choice on available spaces (there's usually spaces left). Some folks believe certain areas are better for selling; I don't think it matters that much.

I forgot to mention there's a separate area for car vendors, and they don't go through the "number" process. Just tell them when you enter that you want to be a car vendor. ($20 also)