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Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing rawproduce
- From: E C GRANATA <elainegranata AT msn.com>
- To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
- Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing rawproduce
- Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:25:39 -0600
Barbara: I think each state is different so Ohio's laws don't apply to us here in CO. In CO each county health department says what you have to do/not do. I just checked with Denver health and they said that washing dirt/dust off is ok and as long as you don't cut or process food there are no regulations/certificates that apply. I verified that cutting off beet or carrot tops is not considered cutting. You may want to check with your county health dept. If you're certified organic or follow the NOP, as Riva said, you have to use potable water for washing/rinsing/cooling -- don't know about testing. Good luck. Elaine Denver From: jbmckillip AT mesanetworks.net To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:09:27 -0600 Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing rawproduce 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
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[Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
BillOhio, 10/29/2009
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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
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Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
Road's End Farm, 10/29/2009
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Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
Robert Farr, 10/29/2009
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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
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Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
Sisters of the Soil, 10/29/2009
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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
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Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
Robert Farr, 10/29/2009
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Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
courtney mcleod, 10/29/2009
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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
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Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
Bill Shoemaker, 10/29/2009
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Re: [Market-farming] Ohio market farmer cited for washing raw produce,
Marie Kamphefner, 10/29/2009
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