Re: Finding good foods

Hi, Evan!

You have asked that I disclose specifics regarding the top quality vendor that I reported finding at my local farmer's market recently. I have given much thought and even some prayer to your request.

Rather than just give a specific referral, I would like to make some suggestions of general principles to use that may benefit you and anyone else who reads this!

First, take the time to get to know the vendors that you buy from, if there is not too much of a language barrier to do so. Ask questions regarding their farming practices. Act appreciative and interested. Do NOT try to make any suggestions abt improving these until you know them well, and only cautiously and respectfully even then.

In my area, organic produce is almost never the highest quality, and averages poor thru good. The best comes from small family farms, often ethnic with a considerable language barrier. Hispanic and Asian growers tend to be producing better foods. Some are also entirely spray-free. One has to ask, and often check several diff weekends to find someone at the booth with enough English to answer one's questions and enough time to do so.

Early morn b4 official opening of the market is best for this, and for food selection. The very best is often bought out by restaurants or others producing some product from the produce. They are there an hour or more b4 the market is officially open. I aim to get there early whenever I can, also.

When I want to test produce, I let the vendor know what I am doing. If they get results above average, I tell them and compliment them, then ask about their agricultural practices. If I am dealing with a salesperson who doesn't know the answer to my questions, I had been[politely] asking for a means of contacting the farmer/s. I no longer do this. So far, there has been a definite correlation between quality and farmers or their extended families actually at the market with their own produce. There is also a correlation between openness to listen to new ideas regarding ag practices and farmers who actually show up at the markets. So I no longer spend much time on the salesperson only booths, and buy from them only if nothing better is available.

Since hearing that the poorer quality vendors are now complaining about and trying to drive out the better ones, I am going to start spending time with the director of my local farmer's market and see if he can be educated regarding food quality.

When I have time and folks ask, I also have educated others regarding refractometers and food quality at the market on an informal basis. This usually happens when someone sees me using my refractometer and asks what I am doing.

Though I have encouraged folks to get their own and educate themselves, being busy imperfect humans looking for a shortcut, I have caught many of these folks lurking about as I am shopping, following behind me and buying what I buy.

I am a bit amused and flattered, but am searching for a way to get them to think and act for themselves. We have very little chance of improving our food supply until a significant number of us are intelligent, grateful, respectful, but educated and assertive consumers EVERY TIME WE SHOP!

It is ultimately not in my own interest, your interest, or anyone else's for me to provide the kind of shortcut that you have requested. I hope that one day, if not right now, you will appreciate my refusal and this response!

May your search for fine food be richly blessed with much success!!!!

Di

BTW, The extra time involved to do the above averages abt .5 hour a week. It IS doable!!!

BTWA, Price is my last consideration, and then only if I cannot afford to get all my produce the very best. I will respectfully try to bargain [without any other customers overhearing] with the vendors of the best quality b4 settling for lower quality. Provided I have not acted greedy and overused this privilege, I have experienced much undeserved kindness from these folks!

In my experience, the best is often also in the lower 1/3 of the price range. The most expensive is often of poor quality! Tweet