Do Farmers’ Markets Offer Consumers an Available and Affordable Supply of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Compared to Other Retail Outlets in Australia?

Abstract

ABSTRACT We investigated the cost and availability of fruit and vegetables at farmers’ markets, supermarkets and greengrocers/primarily fruit and vegetable retail outlet. Data on 43 seasonal fruit and vegetables were collected in person from 17 accredited farmers’ markets, 17 supermarkets and 16 greengrocers across 20 locations (9 rural, 11 urban). Greengrocers were found to be significantly cheaper than supermarkets (AU$4.70 (2.99, 7.99) vs AU$5.00 (3.00, 8.88) p = 0.010). Farmers’ markets had lower availability or fewer varieties of fruit and vegetables (32 (20,35) compared to greengrocers 37 (31.75, 40.5) p = 0.028). Greengrocers may be the most accessible fruit and vegetable retail outlet.