Yesterday I received a call from my neighbor Girly Girl. Her daughter Lulu had just harvested 2 lbs 8 oz of red potatoes. Potatoes I had helped her daughter plant earlier this spring. Girly Girl wanted to check to see if I needed to know the poundage for my 2000 pounds or bust tally. I told her no, technically she grew them, but thanks for thinking of me.
And then she wanted to know if I had any extra garden vegetables to trade.
So I went out to the garden and pulled a little over 11pounds of heirloom carrots for her.
As I walked into her kitchen her eyes lit up.
“Alright, what do you want for them?”
“What do ya got? I know I need a 1/2 cup of sour cream.”
“Go look in the pantry and find something, because I want those carrots!”
Hot diggety! I scored 2 cartons of organic roasted red pepper and tomato soup, 1 snack sized bag of Cheetos {for Monkey Boy} and 1/2 cup of sour cream. Not bad. I think I did okay. What do you think?
Should I have asked for more… or taken less?
I have a feeling now that the vegetables are starting to roll in I’m going to need to figure out what my produce is worth so I can stock up on some essential supplies for winter.
Do you have any ideas on how I should calculate the price of my veggies? Help!
~ Mavis
Want to read more of my bartering stories? Head on over HERE.
If you are interested in planting a few rows of heirloom carrots, I planted the “Carnival Blend” from Botanical Interests. You can find them on the site HERE.
Sarah says
Those carrots look yummy! I think Girly Girl got a deal! 😉
From what I’ve read about “how to sell at farmers’ markets” they say to look at the grocery store prices and add a little to the price. You’re growing home-grown, organic, specialty/gourmet/heirloom varieties so they’re worth more than mass produced organic foods. Also, check out the prices at farmers’ markets! You can do like they do and have bundles for a little less per unit cost and individually bought items for a little more unit cost.
You could start a veggie/fruit/egg stand. 😉 Summer job for a teenager?
andrew says
For the value of your veggies or anything you have to barter, ive always done the “how much would i have to pay for this at the store” so if 11 lbs of carrots costs $5 at the farmers market or local grocery then trade / barter for about $5 of other product. i hope that helps. ive been thinking about you lately and how you ask for ideas on what to do with certain veggies etc. when i find the right spot on your blog ill submit a very tasty pasta salad well its more of a cucumber, mushroom tomato salad.
i hope the barter thing helps.
good luck
Andrew
jadell says
i say just keep a keen eye on what your local produce stand is selling those vegetables for, and that will give you an idea of what they are worth.
fun blog, thanks!!!
jennifer says
i think you got taken. 🙂 organic carrots here in indiana are like 2.50 a pound and they are generic carrots not heirloom. that of course is in the local Co-Op. we dont have them at the farmers market i would be freezing and canning those bad boys. 🙂
Practical Parsimony says
Farmers here sell their produce for much more than store-bought produce. I know who grew it and how far it traveled. However, it is not organic or GMO free. I paid $3 for five tomatoes today–one was about five inches in diameter, the other four were about three inches in diameter. They were not weighed, so I have no idea how that compares to the grocery store.
If you are both happy, it is a good deal. You acquired an ingredient you need right now, a now-snack for your child, and something for later, storable.
MamaLaLa says
Good trade. Your carrots are so very lovely. Are you going to plant some items and harvest in the fall? Here in Idaho, I am told, that we can plant some cool crops and they will be ready fall. Thoughts?
Lanie says
I live in Alabama, but produce is generally sold for about $1/lb at our local farmers’ market.
Lanie
Jenn says
I would love it if my farmers market sold things for $1/lb! Wow… the minimum things go for around here is $1.99/lb.
Cindy says
I’m doing something kind of similar for my garden, except I’m trying to compare the amount it cost to build the garden to the amount of produce I get out of it. I looked up the prices of the produce from a few online grocery stores, like Peapod.com. They do have an organic section, as I too and trying to be (mostly) organic with a whole lot of heirlooms. I then created a nice Excel spreadsheet to record the output as it comes out. So far, I’ve made back $17 and some change from only zucchini and banana peppers.
You can take a closer look at my blog, but I have to admit, I don’t post nearly as much as I like.
Sarah says
I would make it as easy as possible on your self and others. I would say $2 a pound for everything, except potatoes. That is a average, for the good stuff aka not generic produce.
Stephanie says
I agree with checking local farmers markets. I hit up the Edmonds Summer Market last weekend about bought 1 bunch of carrots. They were beautiful, but tiny and cost me $3.50. I was hoping they would be extra sweet or something special for the price, but I found they tasted the same as grocery store carrots in the bag. I do admit I dont care if its organic for most items, but ALOT of people do and you should use that to your advantage. I think bartering is a great way to get what you need as well as not waste anything coming from your amazing garden!