[Sarape]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5009836

What a system that allows this kind of abuse. And what does it say about ordinary people who participate in these scams? Money corrupts. And money rules.
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' She says, 'I am the glamorous type.' I said, 'So what?'

[Sarape]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5010092

And here's another one on watermelon fraud from Texas.
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' She says, 'I am the glamorous type.' I said, 'So what?'

[Erin]

The desperation of the agricultural community is growing everyday it would seem. Sad.
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"It's watery....and yet there's a smack of ham."

"It's hot ham water."

[Monica]

I feel sorry for the tomato plants that were beat up. Those evil farmers deserve what's coming to them.

[Carliegirl]

[Erin]

It was a totally wrong thing to do and they should pay the price, but our nations agricultural industry is dying. This type of thing will become more common as desperation increases. I am not saying they were right, but I am saying support your local growers or they won't be there anymore. Buy fruits and veggies in season, buy at stands and farmers markets, not the flavorless, old tomatoes flown in from who knows where.
_________________
"It's watery....and yet there's a smack of ham."

"It's hot ham water."

[jenjen]

Erin, I am 100percent behind you. Here where I live, Government is bringing in legislation so that we all know where ALL our produce was grown - this should give everyone a focus on buying locally grown fresh food.

Great ideas start with people such as ourselves and we really need to support and promote our local industry (where ever we live).

[Erin]

That's awesome jenjen. Here we do know where many items come from, but not all. I think grocers find it in their interest to fly it in and jack the prices way up for old produce.
Where I live is really bad. Last fall Waldbaums tried to charge me $5.00 for a granny smith apple! I almost fell over. Being from Washington State where apples are a major crop, that was unheard of. You can't find a small container of berries for under $5.00 and half of the container is usually rotten. I could go on forever, price gouging seems to be the name of the game here in Suffolk county. If I am getting a quality product I will gladly pay a little more, that's why I am thankful there are many farmers in the area.
_________________
"It's watery....and yet there's a smack of ham."

"It's hot ham water."

[Monica]

Alas, Chicagoland has no year-round local produce. In the winter months it's hard to know what you are getting. But in summer I love the farmers markets. I wish we could grow our own. We have too many tall oaks on our lot (little sunlight) to have a vegetable garden, but my aunt is generous with her bounty. Not to mention our squirrel and rabbit population that would be greedy with the goods.

[Erin]

Monica,
My sister lived in Wheaton until recently, they have a great Saturday market. I always founf the most beautiful produce especially the chilies. They also have a few really good bread vendors.
_________________
"It's watery....and yet there's a smack of ham."

"It's hot ham water."

[Monica]

Yes, that's the one I go to the most! The Wheaton French Market. It's also got a cheese vendor and many gift vendors, so you can buy birthday presents or things for the home as well as produce. And the flower stalls are always lovely.

[Erin]

I forgot about that! They totally have great gifts there, my sister gave my a hat, scarf and glove set from there a few years ago. So pretty!
_________________
"It's watery....and yet there's a smack of ham."

"It's hot ham water."