Farmers Markets Aren’t as Simple as You Think

Farmers Markets Aren’t as Simple as You Think

From One Bite is Everything by Dana DiPrima

May 7, 2026 · 1h 5m · Episode 163

About this episode

Dana DiPrima and Catt Fields White discuss the complexities and hidden systems behind America's farmers markets.

Inside the hidden systems, rules, economics, and realities shaping America’s farmers markets. Most people think they understand farmers markets. You show up. You buy produce, eggs, cheese, meat, flowers, or honey from a farmer. You support local food. Done. But behind every stand is an entire system most consumers never see. In this episode, Dana sits down with Catt Fields White for a fascinating conversation about what’s really happening behind the scenes at farmers markets across America and why the details matter far more than most of us realize. Catt has spent decades managing markets, training vendors, advising market managers nationwide, and helping shape conversations around farmers markets both nationally and globally. What emerges in this episode is a much more complex, and much more important, picture of local food than the charming Saturday morning version many people imagine. Together, Dana and Catt unpack: why farmers markets operate so differently from state to state the surprising history of farmers markets in America how regulations quietly shape what foods and businesses survive the hidden labor of managing a farmers market why some markets allow resellers and…

People in this episode

Host: Dana DiPrima

Guest: Catt Fields White

Topics covered

  • farmers markets
  • local food
  • economics
  • consumer behavior
  • regulations
  • sustainability

Keywords

  • farmers markets
  • local food
  • consumer behavior
  • regulations
  • economics
  • sustainability
  • Catt Fields White
  • Dana DiPrima

More episodes of One Bite is Everything

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the One Bite is Everything podcast page.