Grocery stores usually have a good selection of fruits and vegetables for consumers to choose from. That’s because despite independent sellers at small stands, the majority of people are buying their fruits and vegetables at supermarkets or super Wal-Marts. The end result of the demand for this food in grocery stores has led to increased competition and farmers are getting left out in the cold. Indeed, like seemingly everything else, fruits and vegetable are being mass produced and the independent farmer is not able to break the ties of big deal contracts. That’s where farm aid comes in.
Each year since it’s founding, music recording artists like John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, and Dave Matthews have gotten together to put on a music festival in the name of the farmers. Anyone who said no one sticks up for the little man has clearly not met these three gentleman. The trio headlines a bill of at last a dozen artists who perform for mass crowds over a weekend of concerts. All proceeds earned from the shows go to the benefit of farmers and towards making up for some of the loses they incur when bigger, more industrial growers shop their mass produced products.
The summertime concert takes place in only one spot for one weekend. It isn’t a traveling show, but instead calls attention to an important issue if only once a year. With the economy in shaky times businesses are going to cut a deal that nets them the most profit. With Farm Aid, at least farmers are getting a little something just for sticking to their guns and trying to survive running their own farms for their individual families.
Support farmers by buying from your local grocery if they are available. Otherwise, why not attend Farm Aird and take in a great show while helping in a great cause.