Comments on: Tomato, Tomahto. Salmonella, Salmonahlla.

by: DAsh

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:48:04 +0000

That’s great for folks who live near a small family farm which produces fresh tomatoes and which also sells directly to the public. However, sprawling urbanization is gobbling up those small family farms at a greater rate than large corporations which work many thousands of acres and employ low-paid, migrant (many illegal aliens) laborers who have no interest in caring for the fruit or vegetables they plant or pick. Farmers markets– which are becoming very popular in the city in which I live –seem to be a great place at which to purchase home-grown fruits and vegetables, but how are you the buyer supposed to trust someone you don’t know who just may have gone to CostCo or Sam’s Club and bought several huge bags of pasilla chile peppers (as one example) and then turns around and sells them to you as “organically grown, small farm produce”?

by: Ralph Weinsheink

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:44:46 +0000

I’ve been growing tomatoes on my patio for the past 2 years. They are the Patio Princess Hybrid, grown in 3 to 5 gallon pots and yield fruit about every 65 days. You can search the name and find the website where the seeds may be purchased. Haven’t had any problems with my crop down here in the Southeastern region of the USA. WHAT AM I DOING RIGHT? Water the plants at night, occasional fertilizer every 2-3 weeks, loads of love, especially for the REAL HOT TOMATO (pun) but as for this outbreak, I’m stymied unless the Old Expression has come into play, to wit, all it takes is “ONE ROTTEN TOMATO.” If there is a need to consume tomatoes, then, try canned tomatoes, such as Organic, Fire Roasted, Whole, Crushed, Minced, Sauce or even Catsup. If there is the potential to blame a creature of nature, then, I’m in favor of hunting down the BIRDS, the entire FLOCK of them that may have been migrating from tomato crop to tomato crop. In the meantime, may I suggest that we also RECAST all restaurant MENUS to now include the QUESTION MARK, in listings such as “SANDWICHES - a BL? - which now would stand for a Bacon Lettuce..and anything other than a Tomato.” What’s next? What else can Mother Nature perform in the new life show stopper “Tricksofthetrade?” Can hardly wait to wake up one day to an urgent call to put on my Oxygen Mask. WHY? All vegetation of this planet has revolted, giving off noxious gas instead of oxygen….I wonder what the price will be to breathe, and if, I will be able to subscribe with a lifetime commitment? Have fun - and thanks for this opportunity to comment. PS Don’t you all see what is happening? First Spinach, Lettuce, now Tomatoes….will lay 5-1 that Cucumbers, Radishes and Onions are next - life will be different - NO MORE SALADS!
TTFN, From WW2, Out British Allies, TA TA FOR NOW.

by: Gregory Anne

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:38:02 +0000

I agree with you about not forgoing tomatoes but buying locally from farmer’s you can talk to and trust. As a private chef it’s imperative for me to serve safe, fresh and high quality foods. While I don’t buy tomatoes out of season or from big box grocers I’m being more careful than ever in knowing the source of all of my produce.
Gregory Anne Cox

by: Chiron613

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:29:36 +0000

I agree that a “big business” model applied to food invites the problems we’re having. Underpaid workers do their job, and little more. It’s not their concern, and they may be rewarded for caring by being fired.

On the other hand, you wind up paying more when you go to smaller farms, if you can get to them at all. It’s a good solution for those who can and who have the money; but what about the Rest Of Us?