You can forget what your mother taught you about how to buy fruit.
1. Comment by Harry D. (Dog Dude (Blue heeler))— July 26,2006 @ 3:48AM
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What a bunch of malarkey...
"consumers, with no simple way to tell whether fruit that looks good on the outside will taste good on the inside, often buy peaches, pears and melons they can't eat because they're under- or overripe. "
If you can't tell when peaches, pears and melons are ripe it's because you never bothered to learn or didn't pay attention when you did buy some that were not ripe.
So if the sticker is wrong can you return the under ripe or over ripe peaches, pears and melons for a refund?
One cent each cost to the grower will translate to 5 cents per fruit to you and I
2. Comment by Dwight L. (#4935)— July 26,2006 @ 4:53AM
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As a Produce Buyer Supervisor for Kroger (Frys Food Stores) for over 35 years I find anything that can help educate the public in Produce Departments helps everyone! It cuts down on our "ShrinK" (Losses) at Store level and increases sales,and will "LOWER PRICES NOT INCREASE THEM!PLUS makes a happy customer. Over the years I have learned all the tricks of buying RIPE fruit but still could use some help! Melons to check for ripeness gently "Push" opposte the stem end for some "Give." Tomatoes are "Color" driven to ripeness;no matter if the yellow or red color;look for a deep vividness. Soft fruit and Bananas and Avocadoes are now "GASSED" for ripeness. Just put these items in a brown paper bag with a banana and the gasses will ripen with-in 24 hours. To store onions use "Panty Hose" and hang it in a dark place and keep them for months! Make sure all melons and Strawberries are "WASHED" before eating or cutting through them with a knife;in potable water. Samonilla left on the skins of all this Friut can make you very sick or result in death. These Fruits are grown in Mexico in the Winter months and irrigated with sewage,since Mexico has NO laws regulating how fresh produce is grown. The Melons and berries now in your markets are mostly from Arizona-Yuma and California Growing fields and regulated by The Department of Agriculture and irrigated with good clean water. Report any symptoms of flu like symptoms after eating Stawberries or Melons to the Local Health Department. They can run immediate tests and stop the spread of samonilla food poisoning.
4. Comment by Carolyn R. (Carolynd)— July 26,2006 @ 6:28AM
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Dwight, thanks for your tips. I knew a few of them, but not the pantyhose trick! I use the "push" test on almost all fruits. If I can't smell anything, or the smell is not up to my own standards, (can't put into words what that means; don't know myself) I don't buy anything.
5. Comment by Kevin M. (#5561)— July 26,2006 @ 6:40AM
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Good tips Dwight. Now if we could teach the cretins bagging the groceries that the cans don't get thrown on top of the peaches...Sorry to slam all the baggers, but I see very very few that seem to have a clue. Probably directly connected to their inability to "pick" produce.
7. Comment by Vicki S. (Vicki S.)— July 26,2006 @ 7:08AM
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Dwight, thanks. I also knew some of those tips, but not all. Actually, I've found that, if buying a underripe avocado and ripening bananas at the same time, just putting them on the stove or counter, with the bananas roughly surrounding the avocado will ripen the avocado more quickly than just leaving it out. I've never bothered with the paper bag; I'd be afraid of overripening too quickly.
8. Comment by Anne S. (anniemomof5)— July 26,2006 @ 8:47AM
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Thanks Dwight, that was great. My teenage daughter ate some strawberries I bought without cleaning them, she just grabbed them from the grocery bag and ate. She was very sick for days and I never tied it to the strawberries
12. Comment by Marion M. (#5281)— July 26,2006 @ 9:51AM
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If onions are grown in Mexico, cut off ends and peel off outter skins, don't cut open in center, many people got sick on Salsa at a Mexican eatery because of this, due to Samonilla. I personally go else where if I see anything grown in Mexico.
13. Comment by Joan S. (#1726)— July 26,2006 @ 10:06AM
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Why can't we grow our own fruits and veggies?? If we must import from Mexico then lets up the restrictions/standards!
In my opinion this has been a terrible year for fruit, I usually end up throwing it away, its either not ripe enough or has no flavor at all.
How about a tomato, have not had a really good tomato since moving here, nor any good corn!
Yikes
15. Comment by Carolyn R. (Carolynd)— July 26,2006 @ 10:22AM
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I don't about that, Aztex (#11). I've bought lots of fresh strawberries, peaches & other fruits & veggies this summer, and haven't had any go bad on me. I'll save the frozen versions for when the fresh ones are out of season.
16. Comment by Carolyn R. (Carolynd)— July 26,2006 @ 10:24AM
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Joan, about tomatoes -- Trader Joe's has been selling beefsteak tomatoes the last few weeks. They still have some at the Speedway/Wilmot store. Two big, juicy, delicious pieces in one pack. I have been known to just take a slice off one as a snack. They are that good!
17. Comment by Joan S. (#1726)— July 26,2006 @ 10:29AM
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Thanks Carolyn R. Once in a while I buy those little(expensive) tomatoes. They are pretty good but I usually end up throwing most out as there is only two of us eating them on salads.
Have you ever had a fried tomato?
Thanks for not bashing me also, usually if I criticize something local people yell go back to where you came from! lol
19. Comment by Anne S. (anniemomof5)— July 26,2006 @ 10:54AM
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Joan I'm with you. In Missouri we grew our own tomatoes among other vegis and fruits and nothing has been that good since. even the peaches and plums seem tasteless
22. Comment by Kenny B. (Mr. Skeptic)— July 26,2006 @ 3:43PM
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Dwight L. reported another myth when he wrote, "Fruits are grown in Mexico in the Winter months and irrigated with sewage,since Mexico has NO laws regulating how fresh produce is grown."
This is false. The huge produce farms and orchards in Sonora and Sinaloa practice exactly the same growing practices as here in the States. Otherwise, the products would be banned by the US Dept. of Agriculture.
23. Comment by Allison M. (amoore)— July 26,2006 @ 5:23PM
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Dwight L. is sorely misinformed and spreading false information when he talks about Mexican agriculture. Growers in Mexico have to meet all U.S. requirements when growing and shipping produce to the U.S. Imported produce is tested at a rate 9 times higher than any domestic product, and more and more Mexican growers contract with U.S. third-party certification companies to test the safety of their produce before it ever enters the U.S.
Water used to grow, rinse, and pre-cool crops is of the same or higher quality as that used in the U.S. In fact, the special equipment that purifies the water is often made in the U.S. and exceeds equipment used on U.S. farms. I have visited countless farms in Mexico and have seen first-hand some of the most sophisticated growing operations in North America. Mexican farmers use advanced food safety practices to grow safe, quality produce for Mexico, the U.S., Canada, Japan, and other countries.
I find it difficult to believe that Dwight L. is or has ever been a buyer for one of the largest retailers in the U.S. given the false information he is spreading and that he incorrectly claims Yuma is currently the main source of certain produce items in the market when Yuma is not currently producing anything. I would hope that Kroger/Fry’s would take better care to educate and train their senior buying staff on the produce they carry given that Mexico is an integral supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the year.
24. Comment by Dwight L. (#4935)— July 26,2006 @ 6:00PM
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I wish you were right about the same growing regulations in Mexico as dictated by The US Department of Argriculture; as this is what U.S. farmers are upset about! Regulations on pesticides alone make Mexican Produce "CHEAPER" on the market because they DO NOT ban the use of pesticides that are banned in the U.S. The list is to long for me to go into on this blog. Corn is best from OLATHE Colorado. It is both White or Yellow Sweet Corn. Tomatoes have been generically altered for color and skin durability in shipping. Any vibration in the shipping crate of a Tomato cases damage the fruit. Tomatoes then were picked and shipped GREEN; then when we get them into the Produce Warehouse Distribution Centers we put them in with Avocadoes and GAS THEM to begin the ripening process. As is all bananas picked GREEN and shipped in CONTAINERS if left in that condition would NEVER ripen. We put pallets of Bananas into hundreds of ripening rooms and shoot gas into the rooms. The Kroger Warehouse is over a mile long and has hundreds of rooms. Depending on the length of time in the rooms relates to the days the Banana is TIMED TO RIPEN;YES TIMED! Usually a banana takes three days to ripen from the Phoenix Distribution center to your store and home. Shipments go out overnight and your store is on a 24 hour turn. So you have about (2) two days of perfect banana conditions in your home. As stores run sales on Bananas the capacity of the ripening rooms is cut short because we need to tripple and quadrupple the amount of Bananas shipped; therefore during sales it tends to upset the quality of bananas in your home both during the sale and after the sale until a regular "Turn" is re-established in your store. This is where the Produce Manager earns his or her Money, keeping the orders on a no more than (3) Three day turn and hopefully 24 hour turn. I will tell you a story about a case Kroger had to pay because of Samonilla Food Poisoning. We had bought a truck load of Strawberries from Baja California. It was a cheap price unusual for the time of year. Kroger owns its own Milk and Ice Cream Plants that used to be called Foremost Foods. Alot of school children were getting sick and some had died after eating Ice Cream at a Picnic. Tests were run and it showed samonilla food poisoning in the Ice Cream. To make a long story short the Strawberries from the Baja were contaminated with Samonilla and we shipped that truck to the Ice Cream processing plant. The Strawberries contaminated the Ice Cream. This can happen and be warned of Strawberries from Mexico,we learned the hard way;it is not a joke or to be taken lightly. The Kroger people responsible for the purchase were terminated. Cataloupes from Mexico are to be washed please,do not listen to people who tell you that the same water for irrigation is used in the United States as it is in Mexico! I will NOT be responsible for lying to customers even if it hurts sales! Simple washing the Melons in Potable water will take care of the samonilla. Blueberries and raspberries and Strawberries should all be washed no matter where they are grown. The Soft Fruit Growers have had to go through alot of HOOPS to sell Peaches,Plums, Necartines Apricots Etc; because the customer wants a peach that has a RED BLUSH COLOR or they think it is NOT ripe and will not buy it! The best peaches are not always red in color I liked The White Colored peaches from Georgia. So what the Growers did was cut tree samples from the Red Peach and graft it into the white peach tree;etc. One Peach had the color with NO taste,the other had the taste with NO color. One important thing I forgot to mention are GRAPES> wash them please. Grapes grown outside of the United States are sprayed with a pesticide that has a SIONIDE base. Some people who "SAMPLE" grapes in the stores were passing out and tests were done sayoing they had a reaction from the pesticide sprayed on the grapes to keep them from going bad. Alot of grape growers have moved to CHILE. They grow great grapes but again laws in CHILE are not dictated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and they know it! It costs Less money to grow grapes in Chile than to grow them in California Just because of Regulations from the FDA! The answer IS " ORGANIC PRODUCE!" Organic Produce because of all the color ; ripenes and taste issues I have talked about here IS NOT PRETTY LOOKING FRUIT OR PRODUCE" because it has not been altered and the GROUND IT IS GROWN IN MUST BE "PESTICIDE FREE' FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS TO BE "CERTIFIED ORGANIC PRODUCE." ITS ALL ABOUT THE PESTICIDE FREE ENVIORNMENT THAT MAKES ORGANIC PRODUCE ORGANIC!" Make sure you look for the official "Organic Produce Sticker" cretified by the Department of Argriculture. Some Stores say its Organic and it is not. Organics are a growing percentage of total Produce sales but it will take alot of educating the public before they by Organically GROWN produce. The costs are high now but are coming down due to more sales. Alot of Organic Farms are capable of large production requirements on a daily basis but same are not. That is why you see a product right now that is a little off at times. I was the FIRST to introduce "ORGANICALLY GROWN PRODUCE" to the Tucson area. We tried it alot of our stores over the last 15 years and it is now taking off, as you see Sprouts and Wild Oats and TRader Joe's gaining more market share. I don't want to seem overly cautious but due to Organics NOT having preservatives and don't use any kind of pesticides the fruit is like you used to pick from the farm and will NOT hold for long periods of time as does treated Fruits. So you must be the one to make the choice what is best for your needs. TASTE or COLOR v SHELF LIFE. Thank you for your kind comments concerning how to buy produce in todays Markets!
25. Comment by Kenny B. (Mr. Skeptic)— July 26,2006 @ 6:13PM
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Thank you, Allison M., for the reassurance.
It's comforting to know that big firms like Kroger/Fry's would never, ever risk lawsuits by importing potentially dangerous fruits and produce from Mexico.
I'd like to add that as an American that has traveled extensively in Mexico, I have never once been afflicted with the notorious "Montezuma's Revenge."
In fact, before eating at restaurants there, I've been gently reminded to wash my hands.
Hygiene is a major value in Mexico. And it is truly reassuring to learn that Mexico has some of "the most sophisticated growing operations in North America."
What you didn't mention, though, is that most of those farms are owned by investors from the US. Who pay their "help" subsistance wages.
Anyway, you might also like to know that Dwight L. has posted frequently on this comment site. He has posted some shockingly hateful comments about Mexico and about Mexicans - for whatever personal reasons he has.
26. Comment by Dwight L. (#4935)— July 26,2006 @ 6:16PM
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Number 23 Allison M. As for being a "FRAUD" you picked the WRONG GUY! I began in the Produce business in 1963 at Food Mart; Sharps Markets;then went to Food Giant Then To Lucky Food Stores then To Frys Food Stores Kroger, in the buying offices. I had association with COX Produce of Tucson and CALAWAY MURPHY the largest independent wholesaler in the nation and Buyers and growers around the World. There IS politics in Produce and the Growing Process; I smell a grower here who is "SPINNING" to the public by calling me a liar. I don't have to prove anything to growers who are lying to the public or people who work for growers who lie. We will NOT BUy from such people no matter how "BIG" you claim to be! The AGRA FARMS THAT ARELEAVING THE UNITED STATES AND BUYING OUT THE SMALL MEXICAN FARMER DUE TO LABOR COSTS IN MEXICO WILL SPIN US IN THE UNITED STATES A FINE TUNE, BUT DON'T BELIEVE IT!
29. Comment by Dwight L. (#4935)— July 26,2006 @ 6:25PM
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The EBB and FLOW of Migrant Agricultural Workers from Mexico is a very important work force. There is nothing wrong with people coming from Mexico to work in our Farms in Southern Arizona and California. I talked about my "SUPPORT" of the need of a "Guest Worker Program for Agriculture" with BLAKE MORLOCK of the Tucson Daily Citizen! I think you better ask Blake what I said to him in a interview in February published in The Tucson Daily Citizen;SIR;KENNY B. I think you owe me an Appology!
32. Comment by Dwight L. (#4935)— July 26,2006 @ 6:35PM
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Did I just Read "YUMA IS NOT PRODUCING ANYTHING" on this Blog? Yuma produces the Produce for The United States Produce Departments at this time of the year for; Broccoli;Caulifloer;Corn;Lettuce(rotates between Yuma and El Centro) Cataloupes;Watermelons;with Kale;Collard;Mustard;Cabbage;Nappa;Red Leaf Lettuce;Green Leaf Lettuce;Butter Lettuce;Chard;Endive;etc; Some Farms now are producing Radishes;Green Onions;Italian Squash ;Etc on the Mexican side. This is going back and forth due to "Heat" and growing zones.
34. Comment by Dwight L. (#4935)— July 26,2006 @ 6:41PM
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Sorry to all for the "Terrorist" now posting on this blog hitting thumbs down on my postings. Please visit your nearest Frys Market Place or Frys Food Stores and the Produce Managers will be more than happy to answer your qustions with-out KennyB and his smart comments!
36. Comment by Dwight L. (#4935)— July 26,2006 @ 6:54PM
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I will NOT engage in a "FOOD FIGHT" about he said she said. Have a nice day. I stand by everything I have posted and the "Success of Frys Foods Stores"is proof that WE at FRYS know our business!
37. Comment by Kenny B. (Mr. Skeptic)— July 26,2006 @ 6:55PM
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You wrote: "KennyB and his smart comments!"
Well, thank you very much for the compliment, Dwight.
But I suspect that we may be boring the heck out of other readers who may have stumbled onto this site.
Besides, it's time for me to go outside to play a vigorous game of ball with my doggies, after which I'll sautee up two perfect "Mexican-grown" yellow squash smothered in some "Mexican-grown" yellow onions.
38. Comment by Carolyn R. (Carolynd)— July 26,2006 @ 7:03PM
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Joan, no- never tried fried tomatoes. I have some in my fridge right now; maybe I will have to give it a try.
I am not a "local" either, at least not yet! I have only lived here since April, coming from Dallas, where I lived for 20+ years. I must say I feel more at home here than I ever did there. Tucson is a great city, just the right size for me. And with lots more grocery store choices. It's been interesting, reading what is native or long-time Tucsonans' minds, about any topic.
39. Comment by Carolyn R. (Carolynd)— July 26,2006 @ 7:08PM
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Dwight, about your #24 - I have heard that about bananas before, as far as their being timed to ripen.
Did you mean Olathe, KS, instead of Colorado?
I love white-skinned peaches, but I have bought the CA variety, no the GA ones. I a was amazed to discover the dozens of varieties of fruits & veggies that are grown/sold in CA, that the rest of country never sees.
40. Comment by Dwight L. (#4935)— July 26,2006 @ 7:42PM
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Olathe Corn is great and was thinking about the great sweet corn coming in from Colorado,also. I grew up in the Produce business and find you either love it or hate it! I like the changing seasons in fresh produce V the same can of peas on the shelf in the Vegetable Aisle year round. As you saw here today there is "Politics" in Produce. Those of us that have been around a long time have to laugh at some of the statements and misstatements about produce of all kinds and where it is grown.It takes a long time to know the growing zones for apples and Leafy produce as it moves back and forth across the Borders of not just Mexico but Canada as well. The Kroger Distribution Centers have a fully staffed "Weather Station" in house with a licensed meterologist that keeps there eyes on weather patterns and storms about to hiyt a growing area. We can have Trucks on the spot to pick any crop that is about to be destroyed by a storm. We call the Farm and give them a price;usually below the normal going price but the farmer realizes that he can sell his crop V having it destroyed by a storm Etc. It sounds cruel but is a major factor in getting good prices on Strawberries. The white skinned peach is a Babcock variety. Alot of the "Freestone"bread into the "Cling" variety because the custmoer wanted the convenience of both varieties in one, taste and color that the seed comes out easily. We at Frys have tried alot of growers from California to South American from LTD FRIUT that began as a group of growers were driving down the freeway in California and decided to form a growing Co-op. They sat in the car trying to decide on a name as a LTD Ford drove by;thus the name LTD fruit Company. Alot of Growers try to steal the others peach variety as they improve through grafting one tree into the next to get a better variety. This takes about five years to complete the cycle to a new fruit. Produce is evolving everyday , and like I said "Organics" are great if you can get past the looks and colors. Ine thing that came to mind was the case of "Green Onions" from Mexico grown in sewage that contained the "Hepatitis "A" virus. This was found after someone got sick. Alot of Growers are very touchy about what is going on in mexico and are working to improve the conditions on big agra farms,but you can not change mexico over night from old practices that may have worked then but are not now!
41. Comment by Dwight L. (#4935)— July 26,2006 @ 8:17PM
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Please go to our "FRYS FOOD AND DRUG STORE PRODUCE AD" NOW in the STAR and CITIZEN, Prices effective today through next Tuesday and buy the very things I have been talking to you about here on this blog. ARIZONA YUMA GROWN CANTALOUPES 4LBS FOR a DOLLAR;OLATHE SWEET CORN 2for 88 cents;White Peaches or Nectarines $1.89 lb;Avodados 10 for $10 dollars;Strawberries or Raspberies 2 for $5. dollars; I noticed ALLISON M commented today that I was incorrect about stating Yuma grows Cantaloupes to Green Veggies as she said NOTHING IS GROWING IN YUMA! Today The Yuma Grown ARIZONA CANTALOUPES are the BEST IN THE WORLD and "FEATURED AS A BANNER AD IN TODAYS STAR AND CITIZEN @ $LBS for a DOLLAR! Happy Shopping!
42. Comment by Kenny B. (Mr. Skeptic)— July 26,2006 @ 8:18PM
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About post # 40 by Dwight L.
Well, at least you have laid off the caps key, mostly.
But do try to tap "return" when you want to make a new paragraph.
You do, indeed, know lots of interesting and worthwhile facts about produce.
But in an earlier post, you wrote that you started working produce in 1963, some 43 years ago. Are you still working for Kroger/Fry's?
Or, are you retired?
I really need to know if Kroger/Fry's would endorse some of the extremely negative and unfounded comments you've made about Mexican fruits and vegetables being fertilized by sewage.
Meanwhile, thanks for all the good information about fruits and vegetables.
But I must tell you that I would be shocked to learn that Kroger/Fry's would ever risk lawsuits by importing less-than-standard fruits and vegetables from Mexico.
Please assure me that my doubts are unfounded, will you?
43. Comment by Richard C. (RC)— July 26,2006 @ 10:09PM
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Mr Skeptic, are you forgetting NAFTA? They do not have to apply the same standards and we can really do nothing about it except not buy those items.
If Mexican trucks come into the US, they can have a safety check at the border, but that is not up to the standards required here, just the basics. The drivers of these trucks also do not have to have a CDL as is required of the drivers in the US.
44. Comment by Kenny B. (Mr. Skeptic)— July 27,2006 @ 5:50AM
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I'm never shocked by anything that happens relative to the border.
I was under the impression, though, that the state of AZ installed an inspection station at Nogales.
By the way, not long ago, in Laredo, they did a safety study of US and Mexican trucks. No real difference. Most of the Mex. trucks I see are new Volvos built in Mexico.
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Blue sticker says when it's ripe; good news for shoppers, grocers
You can forget what your mother taught you about how to buy fruit.What a bunch of malarkey...
"consumers, with no simple way to tell whether fruit that looks good on the outside will taste good on the inside, often buy peaches, pears and melons they can't eat because they're under- or overripe. "
If you can't tell when peaches, pears and melons are ripe it's because you never bothered to learn or didn't pay attention when you did buy some that were not ripe.
So if the sticker is wrong can you return the under ripe or over ripe peaches, pears and melons for a refund?
One cent each cost to the grower will translate to 5 cents per fruit to you and I
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As a Produce Buyer Supervisor for Kroger (Frys Food Stores) for over 35 years I find anything that can help educate the public in Produce Departments helps everyone! It cuts down on our "ShrinK" (Losses) at Store level and increases sales,and will "LOWER PRICES NOT INCREASE THEM!PLUS makes a happy customer. Over the years I have learned all the tricks of buying RIPE fruit but still could use some help! Melons to check for ripeness gently "Push" opposte the stem end for some "Give." Tomatoes are "Color" driven to ripeness;no matter if the yellow or red color;look for a deep vividness. Soft fruit and Bananas and Avocadoes are now "GASSED" for ripeness. Just put these items in a brown paper bag with a banana and the gasses will ripen with-in 24 hours. To store onions use "Panty Hose" and hang it in a dark place and keep them for months! Make sure all melons and Strawberries are "WASHED" before eating or cutting through them with a knife;in potable water. Samonilla left on the skins of all this Friut can make you very sick or result in death. These Fruits are grown in Mexico in the Winter months and irrigated with sewage,since Mexico has NO laws regulating how fresh produce is grown. The Melons and berries now in your markets are mostly from Arizona-Yuma and California Growing fields and regulated by The Department of Agriculture and irrigated with good clean water. Report any symptoms of flu like symptoms after eating Stawberries or Melons to the Local Health Department. They can run immediate tests and stop the spread of samonilla food poisoning.
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I wonder if this works on people too?...I know some who are definetly overipe!
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Dwight, thanks for your tips. I knew a few of them, but not the pantyhose trick! I use the "push" test on almost all fruits. If I can't smell anything, or the smell is not up to my own standards, (can't put into words what that means; don't know myself) I don't buy anything.
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Good tips Dwight. Now if we could teach the cretins bagging the groceries that the cans don't get thrown on top of the peaches...Sorry to slam all the baggers, but I see very very few that seem to have a clue. Probably directly connected to their inability to "pick" produce.
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Dwight,
Fabulous "insider" information! Thanks for the tips!!
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Dwight, thanks. I also knew some of those tips, but not all. Actually, I've found that, if buying a underripe avocado and ripening bananas at the same time, just putting them on the stove or counter, with the bananas roughly surrounding the avocado will ripen the avocado more quickly than just leaving it out. I've never bothered with the paper bag; I'd be afraid of overripening too quickly.
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Thanks Dwight, that was great. My teenage daughter ate some strawberries I bought without cleaning them, she just grabbed them from the grocery bag and ate. She was very sick for days and I never tied it to the strawberries
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I agree with your whole post Dwight, to bad many people don't bother to learn.
Thanks
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Great post Dwight, thanks for the tips. I copied and pasted your comments in an e-mail to my kids.
Thanks again.
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I've found that here are two rules to buying peaches and berries in Arizona:
1. If it's not moldy yet, it's underripe.
2. Fruit that is underripe when you go to bed at night will be moldy and rotten when you wake up in the morning.
/buys frozen peaches & strawberries.
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If onions are grown in Mexico, cut off ends and peel off outter skins, don't cut open in center, many people got sick on Salsa at a Mexican eatery because of this, due to Samonilla. I personally go else where if I see anything grown in Mexico.
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Why can't we grow our own fruits and veggies?? If we must import from Mexico then lets up the restrictions/standards!
In my opinion this has been a terrible year for fruit, I usually end up throwing it away, its either not ripe enough or has no flavor at all.
How about a tomato, have not had a really good tomato since moving here, nor any good corn!
Yikes
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Maybe they could bioengineer the produce to change color when it is ripe. Hey wait a minute.
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I don't about that, Aztex (#11). I've bought lots of fresh strawberries, peaches & other fruits & veggies this summer, and haven't had any go bad on me. I'll save the frozen versions for when the fresh ones are out of season.
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Joan, about tomatoes -- Trader Joe's has been selling beefsteak tomatoes the last few weeks. They still have some at the Speedway/Wilmot store. Two big, juicy, delicious pieces in one pack. I have been known to just take a slice off one as a snack. They are that good!
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Thanks Carolyn R. Once in a while I buy those little(expensive) tomatoes. They are pretty good but I usually end up throwing most out as there is only two of us eating them on salads.
Have you ever had a fried tomato?
Thanks for not bashing me also, usually if I criticize something local people yell go back to where you came from! lol
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Anybody been to sprouts? Not sure if they are better for fresh fruits and vegetables
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Joan I'm with you. In Missouri we grew our own tomatoes among other vegis and fruits and nothing has been that good since. even the peaches and plums seem tasteless
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Hey Joan,
We have been to Sprouts a half dozen times and have stopped going because too often the fruit was really bad.
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Sunflower is pretty good
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Dwight L. reported another myth when he wrote, "Fruits are grown in Mexico in the Winter months and irrigated with sewage,since Mexico has NO laws regulating how fresh produce is grown."
This is false. The huge produce farms and orchards in Sonora and Sinaloa practice exactly the same growing practices as here in the States. Otherwise, the products would be banned by the US Dept. of Agriculture.
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Dwight L. is sorely misinformed and spreading false information when he talks about Mexican agriculture. Growers in Mexico have to meet all U.S. requirements when growing and shipping produce to the U.S. Imported produce is tested at a rate 9 times higher than any domestic product, and more and more Mexican growers contract with U.S. third-party certification companies to test the safety of their produce before it ever enters the U.S.
Water used to grow, rinse, and pre-cool crops is of the same or higher quality as that used in the U.S. In fact, the special equipment that purifies the water is often made in the U.S. and exceeds equipment used on U.S. farms. I have visited countless farms in Mexico and have seen first-hand some of the most sophisticated growing operations in North America. Mexican farmers use advanced food safety practices to grow safe, quality produce for Mexico, the U.S., Canada, Japan, and other countries.
I find it difficult to believe that Dwight L. is or has ever been a buyer for one of the largest retailers in the U.S. given the false information he is spreading and that he incorrectly claims Yuma is currently the main source of certain produce items in the market when Yuma is not currently producing anything. I would hope that Kroger/Fry’s would take better care to educate and train their senior buying staff on the produce they carry given that Mexico is an integral supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the year.
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I wish you were right about the same growing regulations in Mexico as dictated by The US Department of Argriculture; as this is what U.S. farmers are upset about! Regulations on pesticides alone make Mexican Produce "CHEAPER" on the market because they DO NOT ban the use of pesticides that are banned in the U.S. The list is to long for me to go into on this blog. Corn is best from OLATHE Colorado. It is both White or Yellow Sweet Corn. Tomatoes have been generically altered for color and skin durability in shipping. Any vibration in the shipping crate of a Tomato cases damage the fruit. Tomatoes then were picked and shipped GREEN; then when we get them into the Produce Warehouse Distribution Centers we put them in with Avocadoes and GAS THEM to begin the ripening process. As is all bananas picked GREEN and shipped in CONTAINERS if left in that condition would NEVER ripen. We put pallets of Bananas into hundreds of ripening rooms and shoot gas into the rooms. The Kroger Warehouse is over a mile long and has hundreds of rooms. Depending on the length of time in the rooms relates to the days the Banana is TIMED TO RIPEN;YES TIMED! Usually a banana takes three days to ripen from the Phoenix Distribution center to your store and home. Shipments go out overnight and your store is on a 24 hour turn. So you have about (2) two days of perfect banana conditions in your home. As stores run sales on Bananas the capacity of the ripening rooms is cut short because we need to tripple and quadrupple the amount of Bananas shipped; therefore during sales it tends to upset the quality of bananas in your home both during the sale and after the sale until a regular "Turn" is re-established in your store. This is where the Produce Manager earns his or her Money, keeping the orders on a no more than (3) Three day turn and hopefully 24 hour turn. I will tell you a story about a case Kroger had to pay because of Samonilla Food Poisoning. We had bought a truck load of Strawberries from Baja California. It was a cheap price unusual for the time of year. Kroger owns its own Milk and Ice Cream Plants that used to be called Foremost Foods. Alot of school children were getting sick and some had died after eating Ice Cream at a Picnic. Tests were run and it showed samonilla food poisoning in the Ice Cream. To make a long story short the Strawberries from the Baja were contaminated with Samonilla and we shipped that truck to the Ice Cream processing plant. The Strawberries contaminated the Ice Cream. This can happen and be warned of Strawberries from Mexico,we learned the hard way;it is not a joke or to be taken lightly. The Kroger people responsible for the purchase were terminated. Cataloupes from Mexico are to be washed please,do not listen to people who tell you that the same water for irrigation is used in the United States as it is in Mexico! I will NOT be responsible for lying to customers even if it hurts sales! Simple washing the Melons in Potable water will take care of the samonilla. Blueberries and raspberries and Strawberries should all be washed no matter where they are grown. The Soft Fruit Growers have had to go through alot of HOOPS to sell Peaches,Plums, Necartines Apricots Etc; because the customer wants a peach that has a RED BLUSH COLOR or they think it is NOT ripe and will not buy it! The best peaches are not always red in color I liked The White Colored peaches from Georgia. So what the Growers did was cut tree samples from the Red Peach and graft it into the white peach tree;etc. One Peach had the color with NO taste,the other had the taste with NO color. One important thing I forgot to mention are GRAPES> wash them please. Grapes grown outside of the United States are sprayed with a pesticide that has a SIONIDE base. Some people who "SAMPLE" grapes in the stores were passing out and tests were done sayoing they had a reaction from the pesticide sprayed on the grapes to keep them from going bad. Alot of grape growers have moved to CHILE. They grow great grapes but again laws in CHILE are not dictated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and they know it! It costs Less money to grow grapes in Chile than to grow them in California Just because of Regulations from the FDA! The answer IS " ORGANIC PRODUCE!" Organic Produce because of all the color ; ripenes and taste issues I have talked about here IS NOT PRETTY LOOKING FRUIT OR PRODUCE" because it has not been altered and the GROUND IT IS GROWN IN MUST BE "PESTICIDE FREE' FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS TO BE "CERTIFIED ORGANIC PRODUCE." ITS ALL ABOUT THE PESTICIDE FREE ENVIORNMENT THAT MAKES ORGANIC PRODUCE ORGANIC!" Make sure you look for the official "Organic Produce Sticker" cretified by the Department of Argriculture. Some Stores say its Organic and it is not. Organics are a growing percentage of total Produce sales but it will take alot of educating the public before they by Organically GROWN produce. The costs are high now but are coming down due to more sales. Alot of Organic Farms are capable of large production requirements on a daily basis but same are not. That is why you see a product right now that is a little off at times. I was the FIRST to introduce "ORGANICALLY GROWN PRODUCE" to the Tucson area. We tried it alot of our stores over the last 15 years and it is now taking off, as you see Sprouts and Wild Oats and TRader Joe's gaining more market share. I don't want to seem overly cautious but due to Organics NOT having preservatives and don't use any kind of pesticides the fruit is like you used to pick from the farm and will NOT hold for long periods of time as does treated Fruits. So you must be the one to make the choice what is best for your needs. TASTE or COLOR v SHELF LIFE. Thank you for your kind comments concerning how to buy produce in todays Markets!
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Thank you, Allison M., for the reassurance.
It's comforting to know that big firms like Kroger/Fry's would never, ever risk lawsuits by importing potentially dangerous fruits and produce from Mexico.
I'd like to add that as an American that has traveled extensively in Mexico, I have never once been afflicted with the notorious "Montezuma's Revenge."
In fact, before eating at restaurants there, I've been gently reminded to wash my hands.
Hygiene is a major value in Mexico. And it is truly reassuring to learn that Mexico has some of "the most sophisticated growing operations in North America."
What you didn't mention, though, is that most of those farms are owned by investors from the US. Who pay their "help" subsistance wages.
Anyway, you might also like to know that Dwight L. has posted frequently on this comment site. He has posted some shockingly hateful comments about Mexico and about Mexicans - for whatever personal reasons he has.
Thanks, again, Allison M...
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Number 23 Allison M. As for being a "FRAUD" you picked the WRONG GUY! I began in the Produce business in 1963 at Food Mart; Sharps Markets;then went to Food Giant Then To Lucky Food Stores then To Frys Food Stores Kroger, in the buying offices. I had association with COX Produce of Tucson and CALAWAY MURPHY the largest independent wholesaler in the nation and Buyers and growers around the World. There IS politics in Produce and the Growing Process; I smell a grower here who is "SPINNING" to the public by calling me a liar. I don't have to prove anything to growers who are lying to the public or people who work for growers who lie. We will NOT BUy from such people no matter how "BIG" you claim to be! The AGRA FARMS THAT ARELEAVING THE UNITED STATES AND BUYING OUT THE SMALL MEXICAN FARMER DUE TO LABOR COSTS IN MEXICO WILL SPIN US IN THE UNITED STATES A FINE TUNE, BUT DON'T BELIEVE IT!
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Please mind your Net manners, will you, Dwight?
Do lay off the caps key.
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I tried very hard to read your post #24, Dwight. But gave up.
Paragraph breaks would have helped. Just hit return when you want to make a new paragraph, Dwight.
Thanks.
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The EBB and FLOW of Migrant Agricultural Workers from Mexico is a very important work force. There is nothing wrong with people coming from Mexico to work in our Farms in Southern Arizona and California. I talked about my "SUPPORT" of the need of a "Guest Worker Program for Agriculture" with BLAKE MORLOCK of the Tucson Daily Citizen! I think you better ask Blake what I said to him in a interview in February published in The Tucson Daily Citizen;SIR;KENNY B. I think you owe me an Appology!
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PS, Dwight. When did Allison M call you a "liar?"
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Can you insert a link to the Citizen article to which you refer?
I'd truly like to read it, Dwight.
Thanks.
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Did I just Read "YUMA IS NOT PRODUCING ANYTHING" on this Blog? Yuma produces the Produce for The United States Produce Departments at this time of the year for; Broccoli;Caulifloer;Corn;Lettuce(rotates between Yuma and El Centro) Cataloupes;Watermelons;with Kale;Collard;Mustard;Cabbage;Nappa;Red Leaf Lettuce;Green Leaf Lettuce;Butter Lettuce;Chard;Endive;etc; Some Farms now are producing Radishes;Green Onions;Italian Squash ;Etc on the Mexican side. This is going back and forth due to "Heat" and growing zones.
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Kenny B (Mr. Skeptic) You seem to have a hard time reading what I have posted here today;now you want more to read?
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Sorry to all for the "Terrorist" now posting on this blog hitting thumbs down on my postings. Please visit your nearest Frys Market Place or Frys Food Stores and the Produce Managers will be more than happy to answer your qustions with-out KennyB and his smart comments!
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Calm down a bit, Dwight.
I'm still waiting for that link to the Citizen piece. Kindly send it forth, will you, please?
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I will NOT engage in a "FOOD FIGHT" about he said she said. Have a nice day. I stand by everything I have posted and the "Success of Frys Foods Stores"is proof that WE at FRYS know our business!
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You wrote: "KennyB and his smart comments!"
Well, thank you very much for the compliment, Dwight.
But I suspect that we may be boring the heck out of other readers who may have stumbled onto this site.
Besides, it's time for me to go outside to play a vigorous game of ball with my doggies, after which I'll sautee up two perfect "Mexican-grown" yellow squash smothered in some "Mexican-grown" yellow onions.
All best wishes to you, Dwight...
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Joan, no- never tried fried tomatoes. I have some in my fridge right now; maybe I will have to give it a try.
I am not a "local" either, at least not yet! I have only lived here since April, coming from Dallas, where I lived for 20+ years. I must say I feel more at home here than I ever did there. Tucson is a great city, just the right size for me. And with lots more grocery store choices. It's been interesting, reading what is native or long-time Tucsonans' minds, about any topic.
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Dwight, about your #24 - I have heard that about bananas before, as far as their being timed to ripen.
Did you mean Olathe, KS, instead of Colorado?
I love white-skinned peaches, but I have bought the CA variety, no the GA ones. I a was amazed to discover the dozens of varieties of fruits & veggies that are grown/sold in CA, that the rest of country never sees.
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Olathe Corn is great and was thinking about the great sweet corn coming in from Colorado,also. I grew up in the Produce business and find you either love it or hate it! I like the changing seasons in fresh produce V the same can of peas on the shelf in the Vegetable Aisle year round. As you saw here today there is "Politics" in Produce. Those of us that have been around a long time have to laugh at some of the statements and misstatements about produce of all kinds and where it is grown.It takes a long time to know the growing zones for apples and Leafy produce as it moves back and forth across the Borders of not just Mexico but Canada as well. The Kroger Distribution Centers have a fully staffed "Weather Station" in house with a licensed meterologist that keeps there eyes on weather patterns and storms about to hiyt a growing area. We can have Trucks on the spot to pick any crop that is about to be destroyed by a storm. We call the Farm and give them a price;usually below the normal going price but the farmer realizes that he can sell his crop V having it destroyed by a storm Etc. It sounds cruel but is a major factor in getting good prices on Strawberries. The white skinned peach is a Babcock variety. Alot of the "Freestone"bread into the "Cling" variety because the custmoer wanted the convenience of both varieties in one, taste and color that the seed comes out easily. We at Frys have tried alot of growers from California to South American from LTD FRIUT that began as a group of growers were driving down the freeway in California and decided to form a growing Co-op. They sat in the car trying to decide on a name as a LTD Ford drove by;thus the name LTD fruit Company. Alot of Growers try to steal the others peach variety as they improve through grafting one tree into the next to get a better variety. This takes about five years to complete the cycle to a new fruit. Produce is evolving everyday , and like I said "Organics" are great if you can get past the looks and colors. Ine thing that came to mind was the case of "Green Onions" from Mexico grown in sewage that contained the "Hepatitis "A" virus. This was found after someone got sick. Alot of Growers are very touchy about what is going on in mexico and are working to improve the conditions on big agra farms,but you can not change mexico over night from old practices that may have worked then but are not now!
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Please go to our "FRYS FOOD AND DRUG STORE PRODUCE AD" NOW in the STAR and CITIZEN, Prices effective today through next Tuesday and buy the very things I have been talking to you about here on this blog. ARIZONA YUMA GROWN CANTALOUPES 4LBS FOR a DOLLAR;OLATHE SWEET CORN 2for 88 cents;White Peaches or Nectarines $1.89 lb;Avodados 10 for $10 dollars;Strawberries or Raspberies 2 for $5. dollars; I noticed ALLISON M commented today that I was incorrect about stating Yuma grows Cantaloupes to Green Veggies as she said NOTHING IS GROWING IN YUMA! Today The Yuma Grown ARIZONA CANTALOUPES are the BEST IN THE WORLD and "FEATURED AS A BANNER AD IN TODAYS STAR AND CITIZEN @ $LBS for a DOLLAR! Happy Shopping!
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About post # 40 by Dwight L.
Well, at least you have laid off the caps key, mostly.
But do try to tap "return" when you want to make a new paragraph.
You do, indeed, know lots of interesting and worthwhile facts about produce.
But in an earlier post, you wrote that you started working produce in 1963, some 43 years ago. Are you still working for Kroger/Fry's?
Or, are you retired?
I really need to know if Kroger/Fry's would endorse some of the extremely negative and unfounded comments you've made about Mexican fruits and vegetables being fertilized by sewage.
Meanwhile, thanks for all the good information about fruits and vegetables.
But I must tell you that I would be shocked to learn that Kroger/Fry's would ever risk lawsuits by importing less-than-standard fruits and vegetables from Mexico.
Please assure me that my doubts are unfounded, will you?
Thanks...
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Mr Skeptic, are you forgetting NAFTA? They do not have to apply the same standards and we can really do nothing about it except not buy those items.
If Mexican trucks come into the US, they can have a safety check at the border, but that is not up to the standards required here, just the basics. The drivers of these trucks also do not have to have a CDL as is required of the drivers in the US.
Gee, does that shock you?
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I'm never shocked by anything that happens relative to the border.
I was under the impression, though, that the state of AZ installed an inspection station at Nogales.
By the way, not long ago, in Laredo, they did a safety study of US and Mexican trucks. No real difference. Most of the Mex. trucks I see are new Volvos built in Mexico.
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