Corn Policy?
Yep, the always innovative Webb City Farmers Market in Missouri is at it again.
On the market blog, Eileen Nichols writes:
Our Facebook page has also been a great source of information from customers. We’ve had a recent discussion regarding corn – and corn worms. That has allowed us to let folks know that the market board adopted a new corn policy this winter. Now when a load of corn pulls in, one of the market managers selects six ears at random, shucks them and displays them just as they are in a clear plastic bag at that stand so folks can see a representative selection. With the shuck on, it’s impossible to tell if there are worms or worm damage or if the corn is well-filled or skimpy or even if it is yellow or bi-color. Now when you buy corn, you can look over the display bag at each stand and choose the corn you want.
Market shoppers: Would you find this practice helpful in deciding which corn to purchase?
Farmers: Do you think a policy like this, one applied across the board to all vendors selling corn, would level the playing field? Would six, randomly selected ears be representitive of the corn you bring to market on a given day?
Managers: What are your initial reactions? Would you have the staff time to do this at your market? Would a similar policy address concerns shoppers have share with you in the past?
corn policy
As a vender of corn, I always display an open ear,I also alow the customer to pick their own, I should say I prefer they pick their own, because I'm pretty busy. If they want to strip it, or peek it's o.k. too, I put bags out and let them go for it. I don't even count the ears. I am honest to them and they are honest to me. I also offer a money back garantee
As a shopper, I'm not 100%
As a shopper, I'm not 100% sure this makes a difference. 6 ears out of all the ones a farmer brings? While it does show what the corn looks like it doesn't guarantee that's what the consumer will get. No offense to the farmer!
I've bought corn from the farmer I thought had the best. Together we've picked out the ears that felt & from the outside looked great. Get them home, shuck them and find out that 1 (luckily never more) was not so good.
I'm fine with that, really. I expect that. A farmer can't see what is under the silk, neither can I. I buy from who I feel has a good selection & from the farmer w/ farming practices I want to support. What I'd hate to see happen is for a farmer to have that random bad ear displayed. They all have them, you know. It is just the way it is. Having an ear displayed so you can see if it is likely to be yellow or bi-colored is helpful, though.
Corn Policy
You bring up some great points.
Six random ears won't guarantee that the six you pick will be like those on display.
What might be telling, however, is if a majority of the ears have problems.
I'd love to hear what some of our corn vendors think.
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