More on organic foods and farmers' markets

This morning I received notice of a comment from Steve, regarding an entry from a couple of days ago about buying organic produce from farmers' markets. Since most folks don't go back to a post to read additional comments they might have missed, and because I believe in this subject so passionately, I am including it in today's post.

Steve has left a new comment on your post "Heat Wave!":

A big difference between Farmer's market and Co-op produce and produce from many of the grocery stores, Costco, Whole Foods and even Trader Joes is how they pick it. Farmers that sell direct to customers or even direct to small stores like Co-op's pick the produce when it's ripe. Most of the produce on the supermarket shelves (even organic produce at places like Whole Foods) is picked early and "scheduled" to ripen in coolers, the back of the truck and in the store. This process takes away from the taste but adds to the shelf life. Also, if your concerned about the price buy smaller fruit and veggies. An organic apple has 10-30% more nutrients than a conventional apple and many times the apples are smaller. Smaller fruit also have less water so they have more flavor. Taste the difference between a small zuke or yellow squash and a large overgrown one and you will be sold.

Steve has spent his career working in the organic food industry, and has visited many farms, ranches, etc., so he knows this subject and has seen the good and the bad when it comes to food production, marketing, and business practices.

Another hot day coming up but I can't just stay in my apartment all day long. Ara leaves for college in PA tomorrow, so I will try to get over to Jeannie's and spend some time with my all-grown-up granddaughter.

That's it for now, but I may be back later.