The March ’09 issue of Gourmet has a fantastic article by Barry Estabrook called “Politics of the Plate: The Price of Tomatoes.” The article addresses the working conditions of tomato pickers in southern Florida, who live in “virtual slavery” and work for huge tomato producers who stock restaurants and grocery stores during the winter months. This small area in Florida apparently produces 90% of all the tomatoes grown in the USA, year-round. So when no local tomatoes are available, chances are they’re coming from here if they’re domestic.
Tag: whole foods
The question is, why can’t I make it?
A few months back, Smitten Kitchen posted a call for readers to share all the foods they are terrified to cook. I didn’t add anything to the list at the time because I couldn’t think of anything. I’m not nearly as adventurous as Deb, but I think I do alright. Then I realized lately that I have a rather expensive addiction.
Whole Foods is completely spoiling me with its cheese department. Having a European husband set this course of events in motion, but really it’s my incredible proximity to Whole Foods since we moved that has pushed me over the edge.