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Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing rawproduce
- From: "BarbaraJ" <jbmckillip AT mesanetworks.net>
- To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing rawproduce
- Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:09:27 -0600
I sold mixed greens, mesclun, and spinach in bags
at our farmer's market here in CO. This was my first year as a market
grower, so I'm no expert (and boy did I learn a TON this year), but I cut the
lettuce early in the morning and put them in a large container full of cold
well water. The same water we all drink here, it has been tested by not in
the past few years. I then rinsed the lettuce, mesclun and spinach, and
spun them dry in a large 5gallon spinner, in my kitchen. My label says
"field rinsed, please always wash before eating" as my disclaimer. In
fact, most people assume that I just rinse everything outside, but I go that
extra step and spin it dry so that it keeps better all week.
A few thoughts,
1. getting well water tested is easy, although I'm
am fairly safe due to our deep well that is in an aquifer. (at least that
is the way it has been explained to be, I'm no geologist). I had our water
tested when the well was put in and again when we had to replace a pump, both
times no problem. Does anyone know of any recommendations for how often
well water should be tested?
2. It is really hard to cut small lettuces
for salad mixes without bagging them. I'm wondering how folks do
that. I like to cut them small so they taste the best, but they are so
tender, I can't imagine not rinsing and bagging them.
3. Do we need to pull the entire spinach
plant and sell that whole? Or do you pick leaves and put them into a bag
unwashed? I really don't want to do that. I like to chill them in
the well water since I think it's about 55degrees and it removes the field heat
fast.
4. What about other vegetables like carrots, onions
and radishes? They are so messy and look so much nicer washed. Is it
possible that we will not allowed to do that anymore? Or could
it be a state by state or inspector by inspector decision?
I'm wondering if there are ways around some of
these "guidelines". It is very frustrating, at the very moment in our
history were we need more farmers of large and small scale, we see these onerous
guidelines and laws cropping up. I does make me feel paranoid and a bit
persecuted at times!
I grow naturally, I explain everything I do,
customers are welcome to visit at any time and I post pictures on my website of
the gardens, greenhouse, and chickens. I do think, philosophically, that
it should be up to the consumer to both know the source of their food and to
exercise some common sense when it comes to washing and consuming their own (and
their children's) food!
Thanks for the discussion,
Barb McKillip
Mountain View Meadows Farm
Elbert, CO
|
-
[Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
BillOhio, 10/29/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
Marie Kamphefner, 10/29/2009
- Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce, mark rousseau, 10/29/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
Road's End Farm, 10/29/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
Robert Farr, 10/29/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
Sisters of the Soil, 10/29/2009
- Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce, Owsley lucy, 10/30/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
Sisters of the Soil, 10/29/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing rawproduce,
BarbaraJ, 10/29/2009
- Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing rawproduce, E C GRANATA, 10/30/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
Robert Farr, 10/29/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
courtney mcleod, 10/29/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
Bill Shoemaker, 10/29/2009
- Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce, jay sleichter, 10/29/2009
- Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce, BillOhio, 10/29/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
Bill Shoemaker, 10/29/2009
-
Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
Marie Kamphefner, 10/29/2009
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