Tomatoes grown in Texas are not the culprit of salmonella outbreak

pnewsgal, says:

Does the Farmer's Market actually have locally grown tomatoes and other produce at this time of year? I went during the winter months and got nothing different than what I could've gotten at the grocery store. I was very disappointed, to say the least. Even the local produce stands in my area carry the same items as the grocery stores. The only place I've found to find "homegrown" produce is Gnismer (?sp) Farms in Arlington. Anybody know of other local farmers?

juliekim, says:

The farmers market is split into categories, Growers and Sellers. Make sure you visit the growers, and just ask. Since Dallas is the only daily farmers market left in the country, there are people who want berries in Feb, so the demand created the supply of shipped produce. In addition, check out the Thursday night market, 9p-5am where all the produce comes in from the region from the farms. You have to buy in big bulk, but go with some friends and split. Also check out Shed 2 where you can get grass fed meats and there is a new fish guy that comes in from alaska each week. Really you just have to start asking, the more we ask, the more the demand is seen and the more the supply will increase. Also remember, you may not meet the farmer, he is probably working the field. Each piece of produce is tagged if its commercial, just like at the grocery store. =) Hope this helps! Please support the "GROWERS& FARMERS" at the market!

Kay, says:

Thanks to Julie for all the info... ...and thanks to 'gal for asking.

I, myself, pretty much gave up asking all sellers/vendors/employees any questions l-o-n-g ago. It's good to know you can still get straight informed answers at the Dallas Farmer's Mkt.

er...and PegasusNews, of course. :)

Kay, says:

Update info on original story...but unable to locate the comments on it...hope Laura is ok with me posting it here.

Salmonella illnesses have spread to 16 states. 56 cases of those cases are in Texas and 55 in New Mexico (that have been tied to raw, uncooked, tomatoes.)

There's a reportedly "steady increase". An additional 50 people have been sickened by the same Salmonella infection in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin...

Patients ranged in age from 1 to 82. (instead of from age 3)

The rarity of the strain and the number of illnesses "suggest that implicated tomatoes are distributed throughout the country" with illnesses that began between April 16 and May 27 (not April 23 as originally published.)

Not associated with the outbreak are raw Roma, red plum and round red tomatoes from Arkansas, California, Georgia, No. Carolina, So. Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Belgium, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, Netherlands and Puerto Rico - according to the USFDA.

pnewsgal, says:

I think the tomato I bought from Central Market said it was from Mexico. Was a little suspicous at the time as I can't recall having seen Mexico as a source on my fruit/veggie stickies before.

juliekim...Thanks for the great info, I'll be sure to go back and look for Grower's area.

mmmm...sopa's...with honey! Now'ur'talkin'!