Stark Ranting Mad

Last week I read an article in Gourmet that changed my life. I know, I know. Typically somebody'd say that over a piece in the New Yorker or some other elite publication. But, no, this time it was a food magazine. (It often is for me.)

Barry Estabrook writes Gourmet's "Politics of the Plate" series, which usually I find fascinating. This time I found it eye-opening, breath-taking, depressing, and infuriating--in that order. So, at the last stop on the emotional train, I got off feeling really pissed. I need to rant. I didn't want this blog to be a soapbox, but forgive me this one time.

Stop what you're doing and read this.

Pissed off? Good.

Now check out the latest.

Hopeful? Good.

But not good enough. Estabrook says it best...

"In the warm months, the best solution is to follow that old mantra: buy seasonal, local, and small-scale.

"But what about in winter? So far, Whole Foods is the only grocery chain that has signed on to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) Campaign for Fair Food, which means that it has promised not to deal with growers who tolerate serious worker abuses and, when buying tomatoes, to a pay a price that supports a living wage.

"When shopping elsewhere, you can take advantage of the fact that fruits and vegetables must be labeled with their country of origin. Most of the fresh tomatoes in supermarkets during winter months come from Florida, where labor conditions are dismal for field workers, or from Mexico, where they are worse, according to a CIW spokesman. One option during these months is to buy locally produced hydroponic greenhouse tomatoes, including cluster tomatoes still attached to the vine. Greenhouse tomatoes are also imported from Mexico, however, so check signage or consult the little stickers often seen on the fruits themselves to determine their source.

"You can also visit the CIW's information-packed website if you are interested in becoming part of the coalition's efforts."