Re: Mislabeling Livestock in Health Food Stores, local agricultural products

Loren Muldowney (loscott@envsci.rutgers.EDU)
Tue, 15 Jun 1999 09:53:49 -0700

>Not too long ago I attended a organic grain symposium where the main speaker
>was from a large whole foods chain. The speaker lamented several times that
>they really, really prefer to buy locally, but they simply can't find any
>farmers. Contrary to what that speaker said, I think these big whole food
>stores won't carry local OR organic produce if it means they have to deal
>with someone other than the wholesale broker.
>
>Has anyone else out there had similar experiences?

I have made a pasttime out of going into large chain stores and asking
the produce mangers about their "certified organic" produce. Often, the
certifier's logo and name is right on the package, so I am asking more
to find out what they know than the information itself. I have yet to
find a produce manager who even knows what I am talking about, I did
find one employee, not the manager (in the last 12 months) who did know
what I meant and cheerfully went and got the original crate for me. I
have seen big signs which say "third party certified" but it is crystal
clear that nobody in the store has a clue about what that means or which
"third party" may have done the deed. It is most unsatisfactory.

On the other hand,
Where I shop for produce, the wonderful Whole Earth Center in Princeton,
NJ, I am certain that not only the management but probably every single
employee could answer such a simple question. They always have produce
from local farms and make a point of telling you where everything is
from with their signage so you don't have to go looking.

LM

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