Comments on: A fruit stand grows in the Bronx

By: The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

The Honorable Congressman Mondesi — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:37:22 +0000

This conversation is way over, but I just read something relevant and I just wanted to post it in a comment here for the sake of posterity.

http://newyork.grubstreet.com/.....1;20090831

By: King of Fruitless Hypotheticals

King of Fruitless Hypotheticals — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:53:12 +0000

Those articles are always interesting, but why are they obligated to point out they’re not white people?

By: The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

The Honorable Congressman Mondesi — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:24:54 +0000

Yeah… Look, like I said, I don’t have experience in the foodstuffs area, and I agree with you and everyone else, it’s great that the Yanks even offer this option, whether it’s locally-grown or not. I just think they probably could go with locally-grown produce if they want, and I thought a couple of your supporting arguments were kind of stretches.

As far as how attractive those products are to consumers, isn’t there a pretty persuasive argument that posting a sign stating “organic” or “locally-grown” over the product effectively counters any appearance deficiencies (i.e. shine or size/shape of fruit)? That type of product sells, and sells at higher prices, than do mass-produced, non-local or non-organic products, no?

“If I was the Yanks, I would have made the same choice. If this stand is a success, maybe they expand the options down the road.”

Agreed. Either way, good for the Yankees for offering this option.

By: The Artist

The Artist — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:14:07 +0000

If consumers in those markets demand those products, then that’s great and I’m not criticizing them. I’m just saying that the Yanks did nothing wrong here. A fruit stand alone was so unusual that Ben wrote two pieces on them. An organic fruit stand would be even more unusual, and deal with a market that would be even smaller.

If I was the Yanks, I would have made the same choice. If this stand is a success, maybe they expand the options down the road.

By: The Artist

The Artist — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:04:56 +0000

As somebody who’s been in the food biz for 20 years, I’ll just say ‘good luck’. What you’ve described is where my personal tastes tend to run, and I’ve tried to incorporate those items into my business many times and the stuff simply doesn’t sell. You can’t give people a speech each time before they buy a snack, they’ll just choose what ‘looks good’ to them. You can’t run a successful business giving people stuff they don’t like.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:00:10 +0000

Any chance of me visiting the fruit stand is demolished by the presence of the Carl’s Philly Cheesesteak stand.

By: The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

The Honorable Congressman Mondesi — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:58:10 +0000

The Artist: “When dealing with large corporations like the Yanks, there are typically insurance/liability requirements that are mandated by those firms for obvious legal reasons. Many of the local farmers wouldn’t be able to meet those minimum standards.”

I know nothing about insurance/liability issues that might be involved with the sale of produce at baseball stadiums, but a quick google search reveals that several stadiums do offer locally-grown produce, so apparently this is a viable option.

See: http://www.fmlink.com/ProfReso.....808-2.html: “Providing business opportunities to the local community can also have a positive impact on the environment. Several stadiums, such as Fenway Park, utilize locally-grown produce. This requires less shipping, uses a lower amount of energy and creates less pollution. Ballparks like Turner Field and Citizens Bank Park also offer organic options, which reduce the amount of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers released into the environment.”

The Artist: “And those local farmers in all likelihood wouldn’t put up the professional looking display you see above.”

Other concerns may be viable, but I think this is stretching it a bit. That display isn’t exactly a million-dollar endeavor, I’m pretty sure a nice display could/would be constructed if the Yankees were to contract with someone to sell locally-grown produce. The Yankees themselves or local produce companies could buy that kind of display, not to mention that going locally-grown doesn’t necessarily mean going to some tiny little company or collective. Companies like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s sell locally-grown produce, don’t they? I mean, come on, it’s a couple of fruit-carts, it’s not like it’s some irreplaceable work of art.

By: Zack

Zack — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:53:56 +0000

I agree, although I’m not an expert in farming. Can’t imagine NY apples, peaches, or pears are in season in April-May and Sept-Oct

By: tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:52:35 +0000

Also, local produce has a much rougher, less polished look than the factory farmed stuff you see there and get in most supermarkets. I think the Yanks wanted an appealing stand, not rough looking stuff sold out of a cardboard box.

But it’s generally healthier, because it’s more perishable and less chemicalized (since it’s not traveling as far and expected to be consumed quicker).

We need to retrain consumers to stop buying apples based on how shiny they are and focus more on how healthy and tasty they are.

By: tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:50:22 +0000

“I’m thrilled that it’s there,” Michael Hurwitz, the head of New York’s very successful Greenmarket program, said. “I just think that there’s a great opportunity to support our regional economy and our regional growers, particularly in this economy. You could have New York State apples, you could have New York State peaches, you could have New York State pears.”

Agreed. Might I suggest:

http://www.treehugger.com/file.....otment.php

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05.....wanted=all