[sarcasm]

ping

[I still care]

I can't avoid China at Walmart, but so far I can avoid foreign vegetables at the supermarket.

I never buy vegetables or fruits from another country where the skin is edible anyway - countries have such different standards about pesticide applications and such, I just don't trust them.

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

[7.62 x 51mm]

Here in Pennsylvania, I buy only locally-grown produce, in season, and resist buying imported stuff, out of season. The exception this winter is the l-a-r-g-e Butternut Squash from Kalifornicate, which I roast in the evenings, and turn into a bisque, then freeze and use in the off season. Our end of year yield was pitiful, from the rainy year we had.

I've seen many too many of the locals giving up after many generations in the farming industry, being bought out, or selling off huge tracts of land to developers. Farmland is disappearing rapidly around here.

[Pitchfork]

The answer for both this farmer and for consumers interested in buying locally grown agricultural products is to find or set up a local food coop. Our family joined one recently for access to locally raised meat products from animals raised without unhealthy confinement that requires heavy anti-biotic doping and which are fed a diet without any rendered meat products. The downside is you'll have to attend coop meetings with a heavy population of birkenstock-wearing granola types who would like to see the meat section replaced by the TOFU aisles! Fortunately healthy eating that supports local farmers is a principle that crosses the ideological spectrum and you'll find conservatives too.

[Hank Rearden]

And computers don't come from the small neighborhood computer store anymore, either.

So what? Welfare Farmers don't deserve handouts; they can compete like any other industry. Or die.

[TankerKC]

Small farms biting the dust

In a related story, Buggy Whip sales at an all time low!

[varon]

"It would be great if it was grown in North Carolina, but we couldn't afford it. I have three kids in college and one in private school.

If this lady's A-hole is as tight as her pocketbook she is one hell-of-a-constipated broad. She can afford 3 college and one private school tuitions yet she bitches about price of local lettuce....go figure.

[csmusaret]

1. Given the subject of this article, I find it a little ironic that Food Lion is Belgian owned. 2. I would like to know where this author finds cool climates in central California.