Business down 15% at market (Q+A with Ed Wasem, market vendor)

FORUM

Business down 15% at market

OCT 3 1981

ED WASEM

"QUOTE...

Every Wednesday and Saturday a t the crack of dawn, Ed Wasem loads his truck and heads off from his Milan orchards into Ann Arbor, where the sweat of his family’s labor is paid off in cold cash at the Farmer's Market. Life has been that way since 1942. But while Wasem manages to maintain a steady crop of customers year after year, the market’s business has dropped overall. The Milan farmer, who also holds a degree in business administration, offers some insight on life at Farmer’s Market. 1981.

By Amy Smith

NEWS SPECIAL WRITER

Q. — Q What effect has the economy had on Farmer’s Market sales this year?

A — The market’s off about 15 percent as a whole. People just don’t have the money to spend any more. They can’t very well cut down on their Edison bill or their gas bill, so they have to cut down on their food bill. That’s about the only thing they can really control.

Q. — So if sales are below average, what’s happened to your prices, and how do they compare to those at the supermarket?

A — Well, some items are cheaper and some are more expensive... it depends on the individual doing the selling.

Q. — What about your prices?

A — Ours are cheaper. The apple cider is the only thing we’ve had to increase. It’s up 10 percent over last year, but even that’s cheaper than what you can buy in the stores.

QL — How does the quality of goods this year compare to last year?

A — The fruit business for us has been exceptional. But we couldn’t have done it all without the right equipment - new sprayers, new tractors. We have 18,000 apple, cherry and plum trees, so it takes a lot of good equipment to carry our orchards.

Q. — What about the quantity? How does that compare?

A — The fruit business is down all over Michigan because of the spring frost. Apples are about half of what they should be. And it’s the same for cherries. Michigan produces 80 percent of the cherries in the United States, so a 50 percent loss is a big drop.

Q. — Besides the frost, were there any other factors that hurt the fruit business?

A — Yes, we had some bad things this spring. First there was an excessive amount of rain. The crops came late. Then there was a dry spell. Then, just as the crops started coming along, there was another big cloudburst. And the insects - they were just as bad as any other year.

Q. — Is there a lot of competition between the sellers at the market?

A — When new people come in, it’s hard for them to sell so they lower their prices. That’s where some competition starts. But even though what they’re selling might not be top quality, there’s always certain people who buy cheap. Basically, though, we all work together pretty well.

Q. — Is it possible to make a living from selling at the market twice a week?

A — There are only about five or six of us farmers who make a living from this. Most of the other people here have jobs in shops or they draw a retirement income. For them the market is a supplement to their income.

Q. — How does the Farmer’s Market today compare to the market you knew in 1942?

A — Back then there were a lot more sellers... a lot more farmers attempting to sell. And there were no craft items back then.

Q. — What’s the secret to the success of Farmer’s Market?

A — I think the success comes from the fact that they don’t permit people to buy and sell. A lot of markets have failed because of the hucksters who come in and drive everybody else off. But at this market, everything is direct from the grower. And that’s the way it should be.

Q. — As long as you’ve been selling here, what have you come to recognize as being some of the good points and bad points about Farmer’s Market?

A — Most of all l enjoy meeting and talking with the people at the market. Also, we’re selling stuff at retail and we’re getting cash money for it. We don’t have to send out any bills and we don’t have to worry if someone has gone bankrupt and can’t pay his bill. The main drawback, I think, is the lack of parking. People have suggested moving the market to another area, but most people agree this is the best place because of the large walk-in crowd, and because it attracts people to the downtown area to do their shopping. 

Q.— What are some of the top-selling items this year?

A — Any of the specialty goods — apple cider, honey, baked goods — are always going to sell well. Our biggest sales come from apple cider and, of course, apples.

Q. — Who makes all of the baked goods that you sell?

A — That’s my wife, Leola. She has some help, but about 90 percent of it is all her work.