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Cornell University : Cornell Cooperative Extension
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| Yates Association |
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The Finger Lakes Produce
Auction |
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September 5, 2001 You could be in an agora an ancient Greek marketplace. People are milling about, but mostly clustered around a small group of men who seem to be in charge of the business. Fruits and vegetables of all sizes, shapes and colors are displayed throughout the building. People are talking and laughing with one another, but there is a serious tone among the group as the bidding continues with barely an interruption. You could be in an agora, but you are not. You are at the Finger Lakes Produce Auction, Inc. on Rt. 14A north of Dundee, across from the Windmill. A majority of the bidders that have collected are vendors who are bidding for the best price for the best quality so that they can resell the produce other places. The produce is grown in the 13 county area that has been classified as the "Finger Lakes Region." Some of the produce is grown outside that area, but according to manager of the FLPA, Tim Benson, an announcement is made whenever non-local produce is up for bid. Because most of the people attending the auction are vendors, most of the produce is sold in large lots. By large lots, I mean 100 or more cantaloupe, or 5 bushels of tomatoes! But that does not mean that individuals who want fresh produce and enjoy the thrill of an auction cannot go and participate. First, according to Mr. Benson, you must know what you want to buy and how much of it you need. Some individuals do participate in the large lot bidding because they plan to share the produce they purchase with friends or neighbors. I chatted with one woman who attends regularly (at least once a week) mostly to see what is available, and to "people watch!" But she has gotten some excellent deals, and earlier in the season purchased 8 boxes of tomatoes because she knew her daughter in law wanted 4 for canning. She also has waited for the smaller lots and was able to purchase a small box of produce for her family to enjoy. Another important point to remember is to be careful of the "lot" size. Because the individual growers pack their harvest, produce from one grower might be sold in pecks, while other growers pack in ½ bushel boxes. Blueberries that could be sold in a flat (12 pints to the flat) were sold by the pint when I attended. Just as a refresher, there are 2 pints in a quart, 8 quarts in a peck, and 4 pecks in a bushel. If you are new to the auction, it is a good idea just to visit one day to see how things are done. Not only will you see "how the auction works" but you may get ideas about the different varieties of fruits and vegetables that you may want to grow in your own personal garden! Talking with other interested people is a great way to share and gain new ideas about gardening and using produce! Here s how this produce auction works: As stated earlier, the large lots are auctioned off first. During this "large lot" time, there is the Drive Through section. Trucks with trailers, heavy laden with all sorts of produce (and the kind and amounts vary from truck to truck, season to season), pull up into the building, and bidding begins. Just like other auctions, the auctioneer asks for an opening bid. Usually 2 or 3 bidders will bring the original price up to where only one is willing to pay the price for the amount that is being sold. (Large lots, remember, are sold in large amounts!) Sometimes the lot is broken into 2 sizes,for example, 7 boxes can be sold as the total of 7, or by a group of 3 and a group of 4. The back bidder gets the choice of the remaining boxes when the winning bidder doesn t take the total amount. That can sound confusing, but watching it in action makes the process clear. When all of the trucks have sold their wares, then movement goes back on the floor for the smaller lots. The time when individuals can purchase an amount more suitable to their needs is at the very end of the auction day when the smallest lots are sold. The end of the auction day is not a set time, but depends on how many "large lots" have been brought in, and how quickly the auction progresses throughout the morning. The produce auction begins at 10:00 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through October. Tim Benson and his staff are very helpful and will answer any question you may have. Signing up for an auction bidding number is quite painless, and your number stays yours throughout the year. There is food available (from coffee and donuts to chicken nuggets and pizza!) to buy (you don t have to bid on this!) if you get hungry during your stay at the auction. Other events occur here, too, including the Saturday Flea Markets that begin at 9 a.m., and specialty auctions. On September 8th at 9:00 a.m. there will be a farm machinery consignment auction, a poultry auction on September 22 beginning at 1 p.m., and the quilt and craft auction beginning at 10:00 a.m. on September 29. For more details, contact the Finger Lakes Produce Auction, Inc. at 315-536-8446. Master
Gardeners are available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings to
answer your home and gardening questions. Please don't hesitate to
contact them at 315.536.5123. Cornell
Cooperative Extension Yates Association |
