tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975161130020685883.post2213350708496401633..comments2024-03-27T03:19:09.202-04:00Comments on HyMark High Spots: Food Shortage?Ed Winklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07299533401041542458noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975161130020685883.post-58306434353504814222014-03-14T17:05:53.445-04:002014-03-14T17:05:53.445-04:00The California "valley", surrounded by m...The California "valley", surrounded by mountains has perfect weather for produce production............Just no rain ! The missing link is water, so just irrigate, ok. The "Train wreck", is no snow pac in the mountains thus no irrigation water. I grew fresh pick produce in the southeast for years to supplement my row crop operation income. THE problem "HERE" is uncertain weather patterns. Even though I'm in the "rain belt" we have seasonal droughts or even worse, a tropical storm blow in off the Gulf of Mexico and hammer the area for several days with relentless rain. Thus the total loss of a perishable crop like produce. Sure you can pick it in the mud for home consumption or give it to neighbors but it will not grade good enough to sale at a retail outlet. Because of these production problems associated with produce and no integrated dependable supply or sales outlet outside the California production area, the American consumer is in for much higher food prices.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975161130020685883.post-87604259052291954002014-02-22T17:04:31.489-05:002014-02-22T17:04:31.489-05:00Yes there is huge waste and cost built in our syst...Yes there is huge waste and cost built in our system. Still, I think it's pretty efficient. We can always do better, though!<br /><br />California's climate and soil is very hard to compete with but they are irrigating a desert pretty much. Similar to what I've seen in dry climates like their's.<br /><br />Local farmers stand a chance only by building a strong local market but it's only one harvest per year! Hard to build a marketing model around that so the answer is, they can't?<br /><br />EdEd Winklehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07299533401041542458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975161130020685883.post-47526577965476914312014-02-22T15:02:18.223-05:002014-02-22T15:02:18.223-05:00Forgot to say: How do local produce farmers stand ...Forgot to say: How do local produce farmers stand a chance with these figures?Chimelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601975288198239103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975161130020685883.post-57564229001675754632014-02-22T15:00:29.062-05:002014-02-22T15:00:29.062-05:00Great blog, and very well documented with interest...Great blog, and very well documented with interesting links, Ed.<br />Regardless if the drought was only temporary or more durable, fresh water is getting more scarce and more expensive, so it will definitely affect food prices.<br /><br />The following produce stats in your link were very interesting and show a real dysfunction of vegetable and fruit farming. All of these can be grown pretty much everywhere in the U.S., how is it that it all comes just from California? This must be such a waste and extra cost in processing and transportation, not even mentioning freshness.<br /><br />99 % of the artichokes<br />67 %of carrots<br />89 % of cauliflower<br />94 % of broccoli<br />95 % of celery<br />90 % of leaf lettuce<br />83 % of Romaine lettuce<br />83 % of fresh spinach<br />88 % of fresh strawberries<br />97 % of fresh plumsChimelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08601975288198239103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975161130020685883.post-8307689865463520972014-02-22T08:59:41.792-05:002014-02-22T08:59:41.792-05:00I agree completely. Just as this winter reflects w...I agree completely. Just as this winter reflects weather patterns from decades ago we will continue to see weather changes that affect us all! ScaryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com