Disquiet over prices at St Andrew farmers' market

Laura Redpath, Senior Gleaner Writer

ENID MILLS, who was busy with her shopping at the farmers' market in St Andrew yesterday, said she could hear people "bawling" that "Curry (Coronation Market) was cheaper".

"But you really can't bawl down (the farmers') price, and me will support them," she said.

Mills was one of many shoppers who were out yesterday morning shopping at one of the six islandwide farmers' markets, an initiative of the agriculture ministry.

Dr Marc Panton, chief technical director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, said: "I want us to be prepared that some of the prices may seem a little high, but we also have to understand that these are not items in glut.

"As a matter of fact, some of them are in shortage - bananas, for example. Sweet peppers are another one," said Panton, who had planned to do his shopping in the afternoon.

Despite the quiet and disgruntled mumbling of prices being "too dear", one woman loudly expressed her disapproval.

"Di whole ah dem ah tiefing price. Nuh mek me start cuss in yah!" she shouted, while striding across the agriculture ministry's field on Old Hope Road.

Stafford Thompson was one farmer who enjoyed himself at the farmers' market, where the smell of fresh scallion was strong and the skies were overcast as it threatened to rain.

He said more farmers should be okay about cutting their prices.