Think farmers' markets are peaceful places full of hippies and vegetables? Think again: A non-profit organization called Raw Inspiration that runs 18 farmers' markets in Southern California has been accused of protecting a vendor who was reselling produce from Mexico as local. Market manager Shannon Reid, who reported the violation, also says the company punished her by cutting her pay and hours.
Reid describes the experience of working for farmers' markets as "like I'm dealing with Teamsters." Raw Inspiration denies the allegations that they were protecting the farm in question, Rancho Las Gordonises, or that they punished Reid in any way. Rancho Las Gordonises had previously been accused of reselling Mexican produce as local, which was exposed in a local news investigation.
· Market Watch: Farmers Market Cheating Alleged [LAT]
· All Farmers' Markets Coverage on Eater [-E-]
[Photo: Christopher Porter / Flickr]