David Nagel, Extension plant and soil sciences specialist at Mississippi State University, said farmers' markets give everyone an advantage, often one that consumers may have a hard time finding elsewhere. Nagel said consumers can enjoy fresh, high-quality products and direct contact with growers. Producers have a place to sell their vegetables for a profit, but can often beat supermarket prices. A benefit for growers is they sell at retail rather than wholesale prices at farmers' markets. Consumers can buy much fresher foods for a comparable price.
Demand is high because fewer people are growing their own vegetables.
At the supermarket, a vegetable for sale is probably picked six days before. The quality of a garden product goes down the longer it is removed from its plant. Fruits and vegetables sold at supermarkets are sometimes chemically treated to last longer. Tomatoes are often picked green and treated with ethylene to induce ripening. Consumer demand for these locally grown vegetables is high.