Comments on: the farmer’s market

By: Paul Robinson

Paul Robinson — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:01:24 +0000

I have this conversation almost daily.
When I sit down with somebody for the first time working out what they’re trying to do (I work in strategy, development, not marketing), I ask them one question several times with different emphasis:
What does your customer want?
What does YOUR customer want?
What does your CUSTOMER want?
What does your customer WANT?
In other words: — don’t obsess over what your competitors are doing and instead think about what you do that is different; don’t think about what you want to sell, think about what people want to buy; need is great, but you can skip right around your competitors by delivering a little more, providing it also fits in with answers to the other questions.
It’s not difficult. I can’t believe so many marketing books and blogs have been created as a result of something so obvious. The modern marketing industry is remarkable, in the literal sense of the word.

By: Letizia

Letizia — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:15:48 +0000

There is always a “local solution” that could encourage the local producer to grow. Letizia. http://www.letizialisi.com

By: RKR

RKR — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:09:40 +0000

I am on the side of the “locals that toil in the soil”. As far as service, I sure wouldn’t want to act like a grocery store clerk for city folk who probably have more money than brains. I belive you used the word “cater”…
“Those who aren’t growing are owing.” Not the other way around.
I would pay for quality and unbeatable taste that a supermarket could never give. For service…I would want an expert to take a few seconds (or secrets) and to tell me how they managed to grow such beautiful produce.
But, for some crazy citified people-age, who think sticking their thumb in a melon and asking for half off the price is the normal thing to do, then they should go straight to the supermarkets where people won’t chase you with a pitchfork.

By: Anthony Nicalo

Anthony Nicalo — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:12:36 +0000

The gap doesn’t necessarily have to be filled with corporate, sprawling supermarkets. Much of the gap actually exists between Whole Foods and farmer’s markets, whether in Alpine or Chicago. And solutions that Hugh is alluding to would incorporate a much higher level of service than is available at either end of the spectrum. If there was a shop that worked with local growers year-round, included some healthy, sustainable prepared options and had a couple of friendly, knowledgeable staff it would be a hit anywhere. Even if you love the farmer’s market over Whole Foods, wouldn’t it be nice to go more than once a week? And it would encourage local farmers to grow more, knowing that there was a consistent market that didn’t require them to handle all of the distribution too.

By: kelley

kelley — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:00:43 +0000

The enterprises you seek will probably come. But, do you really want it? The beauty of your environment in isolation of the franchised businesses would slowly ( or maybe not so slowly) fade and as the previous commenter suggests, you would want to find a new paradise.
Could be an “evil plan”. Hmmm…

By: nikkirae

nikkirae — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:42:41 +0000

I seem to be a “same ‘ol same ‘ol” on the outside with that “trailblazer” stuck inside. Thanks for putting a few more knicks in that armor. *smiles* Someday that trapped side just might get out!

By: Anna

Anna — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:10:26 +0000

It strikes me that there is a contradiction of sorts brewing here, Hugh.
It has always seemed to me that you idealize Alpine because it is what every other place ISN’T. If all of these folks in Alpine set out to accomplish efficiently building trophy homes for the moneyed folk fleeing urban sprawl & then starting a Whole Foods sort of store to cater to them … where the hell does it all end? Will this not lead to an Alpine Texas that is just a newer version of urban sprawl? After all, by definition, “sprawl” does NOT respect boundaries. Once it crosses the line into utopian small towns — life is never the same & those wanting to live in utopia must again flee.
Is not the charm of Alpine the very fact that its farmers market IS only able to sustain 45 minutes of sales? Or have I been misunderstanding your passionate love-affair with your beloved town all these months?
Just as society inevitably chastises those whom it previously idealized as individuals, so to do utopian ideals crumble under similar weight.

By: baldwithglasses

baldwithglasses — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:36:26 +0000

You fail to mention how really, really nice Alpine is. No Wally-World, hardly any chain stores at all. It’s a groovy little Tejas town, and it’s even close to Marfa!

By: Michelle Greer

Michelle Greer — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:39:00 +0000

Why are there no fresh fruits and veggies in Alpine?
Over $4 a gallon for diesel and very little profit margin in produce.
Fix that problem and you’ll have your fresh peas and carrots in no time.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:52:25 +0000

Thanks for the kick in the pants. Sometimes we see the need but aren’t sure whether there are enough “educated, blog-reader types” locally to sustain us. So we don’t move as fast as we should.

By: jim

jim — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:32:49 +0000

I can not WAIT for more of your insight into the construction industry!!!…

By: RKR

RKR — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:15:36 +0000

…those who like being in the middle of the herd, no doubt have their nose up someone’s ass…
I’ll take my chances being on the outside of the herd. To me it means “fresh air”…

By: Murali

Murali — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:02:54 +0000

Reminded an old Ginger Meggs "Living on the edge, I had fallen off long ago"

By: Jake Edwards

Jake Edwards — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:30:36 +0000

understood.