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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Being Patriotic and the Food Transport Story

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Subject: Market Farming

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  • From: "Bill Shoemaker" <wshoemak AT inil.com>
  • To: <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Being Patriotic and the Food Transport Story
  • Date: Mon, 2 Dec 2002 08:48:17 -0600

>I go back to the cranberries. Can't grow them here. I would be mighty
>disappointed not to have them with my turkey.


Actually, Del, there's no reason you couldn't grow cranberries in northern
Illinois. It's just a matter of learning. They're grown in Michigan and
Wisconsin. In fact, Wisconsin often leads the nation in cranberry
production.

But you raise some good points about the food distribution system and
customer expectations. But I contend that quality matters. Some food
products, like cranberries, can be shipped easily without significant loss
of quality. But many of our produce commodities are seriously compromised by
the shipping and distribution process. That is the market farmer's
opportunity. Put a higher quality product in front of the consumer, educate
them about the difference and they'll make their choice. I think consumers
want that choice, they prefer quality and will pay for it if it's available.

Bill Shoemaker
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
Univ of Illinois - St Charles Hort Research Center





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