I am disappointed, outraged, shocked and baffled by this; I have been waiting all summer for my own tomatoes to ripen so I can have a delicious, fresh BLT sandwich. Turns out, though, that I overfertilized and my own plants won't be producing much (huge bummer). So I figured I'd just swing by one of the produce stands that crop up all over the Madison area (Wisconsin) in the summer and splurge on a few delicious tomatoes grown by someone else around here. I tried on a couple of occasions, but had gotten out of work late and the ones I drive by were shut down for the day. But I was REALLY craving the BLT, so yesterday I ran out over lunch and stopped by a stand near work. I picked out a couple of tomatoes, peppers and a melon. Got home, made the bacon, got ready to slice the tomatoes, and spotted a sticker I had missed in my excitement. It said "Product of Canada, hothouse grown". My jaw dropped. My heart sunk. I sniffed the tomato and it smelled like nothing. I cut it open and it was as pale and spongy as a grocery store tomato in January. And as tasteless. Wow, I just can't believe that in August, in Wisconsin, at a FARM STAND, the tomatoes have been shipped from elsewhere. This was a little farm stand that a big farm just outside of Madison sets up every year. They have several. I have been to the main farm, I know it exists, and I have always been happy with the produce. But now, I just don't know what to think. I am sooooo disappointed. I haven't decided if I should go back over to the produce stand and give a note to the poor kid who sits there all day to give to the farm owner. Probably wouldn't change anything, but it might make me feel better.
You gotta watch 'em. Here in Oklahoma, you have to really question to make sure you are getting "locally" grown and not Mexican imports. That does blow, to have your mouth all set for a BLT with a REAL tomato! I've had bozos try to sell me "Rush Springs" melons (the BEST in Oklahoma) when I know for a fact that they haven't even started harvesting in Rush Springs yet. One of our members of the House of Representatives is from Rush Springs and he does a big Watermelon Feed every year here at the capitol, which was yesterday!
I live next to John's Island, SC, a huge tomato growing area. Not wanting to make the drive to the island, I stopped at a small local stand. Same thing happened - the tomatoes were from FL, by way of a wholesale produce company in Charleston, that supplies restaurants. One thing a lot of Charleston visitors don't realize is that most of the seafood they eat here is not local. It shipped frozen from all over.
Quote:Very true.............. the last few yrs I have seen stickers galore on so called fresh localy grown farm veggies here in OK. the farm stand deal is almost like the Chinese counterfieting/copying LOL. I wait all yr for those melons and will drive there to get those big Black Diamonds. it's a scam if you ask me, I look closely at the produce and the stand guy ask what are you looking for, when I tell him the sticker if he wrinkles his nose I get back in the truck, if they giggle I stay as I think they understand the deal and are legite.
Area "local produce" in these parts, from my experience with side of the road set ups, is from Mexico. If there is something I want I go to one of the area Farmers Markets. Its aggravating though because FM's are not open 7 days a week - I try I try to grow my own.
Wow, that's the worst, especially at a FARM STAND! Here's something that really comfused me. I went to Canada last week and saw lot's of produce with a 'grown in the USA' sticker on them. And even more with a 'grown in Canada' sticker. I was so confused I had no idea which ones would be the best. Should I go for the ones grown in my home country or the ones grown here, where i am? The metric system REALLY got me, too. Oh, and do I HAVE to mention the currency exchange rates??
Happens all the time...even at the farm stands up here! I know the PLU numbers...LOL! For example: 3151, large tomato. 4664, small vine tomatoes. 4032- Watermelons. When I see those, I KNOW that they went to Wal-Mart, bought some and are out here hustling people. Really ticks me off. Another thing that grinds my gears is when another produce stand starts badmouthing the other stands just across the street. That doesn't make me want your stuff any more...
Not be able to have a garden of my own, I can appreciate wanting fresh produce badly. Luckly, I drove threw our town square last Friday, just as they were setting up the evening farmers market. It was wonderful! So many old farmers out there in their dirty overalls in their beatup pick ups, selling imperfect produce that would never make it to the grocery store! I bought some squash, cucumbers, and some totatoes. I plan on going back tomorrow and buying more.
