U.S. Demand for Fruits and Vegetables Drives Up Imports

[jakeXT]

Americans want fresh fruits and vegetables—year-round, not just at harvest time. U.S. farmers grow a lot of produce, but imports are meeting most of the increased demand, especially during off-season months such as April, thus capturing more of the total consumption. Mexico, Central America and South America send the most produce to U.S. regional distribution centers. Some fruits and vegetables have recently become very popular, whereas others remain stable: avocados are way up, persimmons are on the rise and tomatoes are, well, tomatoes.


http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=us-demand-for-fruits-and-vegetables-drives-up-imports

[canoeist52]

1. I wish I could understand that in the middle of pepper harvest season

here in MA. organic peppers at my local supermarket are imported from Canada. We have many local organic farms that supply our Farmer's Market with peppers for the summer months. What's the answer to fix this?

[Warpy]

4. Supermarkets need steady supplies

and that means commercial growers selling to distributors, not local farmers selling small lots directly to the market in season.

Here, most of the veggies come from Mexico (and Mexican corn has been better every year) instead of local growers. There are a few small time veggie stands that will buy surplus from the bigger gardeners but that's about it, the only exception being New Mexico green chile. That is bought directly from big growers, sold by the bushel and roasted by the store.

[Laelth]

2. Interesting. k&r n/t

-Laelth

[canoeist52]

3. An article link on connecting local farms with grocery stores

http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/food-farms-farmers-markets

"Bright Farms builds greenhouses at or near partner supermarkets and then uses them to grow hydroponic tomatoes and lettuce year-round. A one-acre greenhouse can produce up to 1 million pounds of vegetables in a year, Siskel said.

The supermarkets pay nothing for the construction and operation of the greenhouses; they simply agree to buy the vegetables produced at a fixed price for a period of 10 years. With these contracts in hand, Siskel explained, Bright Farms can more easily obtain financing for the projects. One greenhouse is up and running now, she said, and another seven are under development.

Another company, Plainville, Mass.-based Red Tomato, is also focused on getting local food into supermarkets. The organization is essentially a nonprofit distributor: The group buys fruits and vegetables from its 45 partner farms, packages the produce, brands it with the Red Tomato name and sells it to more than 200 retailers across the Northeast. "

[MrMickeysMom]

5. This could create a "niche" for some pretty cool programs...

Just read an article in local paper related to offering year round vegetables (and fish) via hydroponics project. This could open a door to youths who ordinarily be getting into trouble, but, instead, can become involved in understanding earth science and sustainable eco systems.

We need to get organizations to fund it. I can think of lots of them who should fund something that has an outcome of growing year round vegetables and opening the door to kids who've never experienced an eco system or stepped into a forest.