Sour Grapes

Last week it was pointed out to me that someone had left a negative review about the market online and I couldn’t help but think of the picture of a sandwich board in front of a bar that invited passersby to come in and have a drink at the absolute worst bar in the city according to one disgruntled Yelp reviewer. I gave up listening to online reviews many years ago after attending a popular infosec conference that takes place annually and is a haven for hackers. I met people who, for a price, would code a bot that could create multiple online reviews for a fee. This nefarious black hat went on to explain how negative reviews are much more effective than positive ones and how they could cripple or destroy a business. After that episode, rarely do I read, let alone pay attention to online reviews except when it comes to reports of bed bugs at hotels and short term rentals.

But this review left not a disparaging remark about the market or the vendors, but about our customers and with that I take a serious affront. As a market patron and vendor for over 25 years I’ve come to learn that each market is a microcosm of its environment. I have been to markets in small towns, big cities, harbors, affluent neighborhoods, and low income areas. Want a schooling on how to effectively communicate? Work at a market where nearly all of the customers do not speak your language. But no matter where I am there are always colorful characters and occasionally, challenging individuals.

One of the questions I am asked frequently by vendors considering applying to the Central Farm Markets as well as by customers is why do I like this market? The answer is multifaceted, but essentially it boils down to our customers. Yes, the market is well managed. Yes, it’s in a great location and easy to get to. Yes, the vendors all get along and are almost like family, and so have become the patrons who shop at the markets week after week, year after year.

In this negative review, the writer referred to our customers as Karens. While that may be a pejorative for an obnoxious individual, the real version of a Central Farm Market Karen (yes, that’s her real name)  is someone who has been a dedicated supporter of regional farmers markets for over 20 years. I met her at one of the very first markets I attended when I first began trekking down to the DC metro area. In my mind, to be a Karen is to be active socially and politically and to always have a big smile and a hug. And she is just one of many of our amazing customers.

Throughout the years I have encountered many interesting folks at the market from all walks of life and all places from around the globe. There is no single demographic. Market patrons range from conservative and Orthodox women who are traditionally robed and covered to sports enthusiasts minimally clad to show off their hard work. We have refugees and immigrants along with ambassadors and elected officials. I know that one of our customers was even an Admiral in the Navy because I met him at an Army Navy football tailgate party fundraiser where he recognized me as his farmer. Throughout the years our customers routinely show up in the New York Times, the Washington Post, on NPR, on TV, and in national magazines. Some are academics, others well-known humanitarians. There are researchers from NIH and professional musicians. There are plenty of women who bring not just their husbands, but their kids, too, each week making the shopping a family affair.

Even more important in this age of political and cultural divisions, our customers feel safe at market. During COVID I saw many new faces who specifically attended Central Farm Markets because we enforced strict health protocols, had a well-organized drive up service, and even delivery service. Many people from the LGBTQ community also shop at the market because they feel safe and welcomed.

That’s not to say we haven’t had our fair share of obnoxious patrons throughout the years, mostly involving people who want to conduct business while vendors are trying to get set up for the day. Other bad behaviors usually involve pets, specifically defecating dogs whose owners feel they do not have to pick up the poop. Needless to say, they only do that once before being banned for good.

It's not easy to operate a public venue week after week in a tight environment and not have challenges. I’ve been to markets where nothing is done about bad behavior, be it habitually late and unprepared vendors or belligerent and inebriated market goers. I’m just grateful I no longer have to sweep up the used needles, cigarette butts, and empty pint bottles before I set up my tables and tent. And that was even in a nice neighborhood!

I’m curious to know what ruffled the feathers of the disgruntled review writer enough for them to use the recently coined cultural epithet. A woman shopping at the market with her husband? Who ever heard of such a thing! When it comes to negativity in the midst of so many glowing accolades about the markets’ overall success I tend to fall back on my mother’s advice: always consider the source. Looking on the bright side, at least they gave us three stars and instead of one.