Notes from First Meeting (Tues., Sept. 9, 2008)

Tomato as Example of Food Issues:

Salmonella Scare - brings up issue of global supply chain (carbon footprint/food miles, lack of tracking system, lack of standard regulation, contrast with local production in which food can easily be tracked and regulation can be personal), lack of consumer awareness (before outbreak, people didn't care where their food came from AND now that tomatoes have been cleared, people are still uninformed and afraid of tomatoes)
Amid Salmonella Case, Food Industry Seems Set to Back Greater Regulation
Tomato growers wonder if U.S. crop can overcome bad rap

Workers' Wages - brings up issues of social justice (outsourcing of agriculture to migrant workers whose status makes them vulnerable - lack of documentation, lack of bargaining power, lack of economic security), power of agribusiness (could file antitrust suit against workers, claim that if they weren't already paying a just wage they wouldn't have a workforce), seasonality no longer an issue (tomatoes are on McDonald's cheeseburger no matter what time of year, loss of quality, necessitates use of global supply - lack of regulations, etc.)
Tomato Pickers’ Wages Fight Faces Obstacles

Practically - tomatoes are labor- and resource-intensive (estimated 350 hours work for each staked acre)
Organic Tomato Production

Price Comparison - $3/lb local organic heirlooms at farmer's market; $2.50/lb NJ vine ripe at Genuardi's, $2/lb local vine ripe at farmer's market

Delicious!!! tomatoes have so many culinary possibilities: raw like an apple or peach ot comlex & gourmet dishes - acidic, sweet, juicy, aromatic, mmmmm! perfect for enjoying together
Tomatoes
Dance of the Ripe Tomatoes