[central_va]

Apparently the savings were enough to justify the cost of the machines that replaced the pickers.

Only if you like leather fruit and veggies that are tasteless. They give us no options. Tasteless, tough crappy fruit isn't cheap at any price.

[hanamizu]

leather fruit and veggies that are tasteless.

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I wonder though how much of the flavor and texture has been lost due to changes brought about by disease/pesticide resistance, etc.

And depending on the part of the country you live in, there are still small operations that produce the real deal in vegetables/fruit.