Food & Farm News
» June 26, 2008 «
Farmers abandon tomato fields
Processing tomato growers have abandoned several thousand planted acres in the San Joaquin Valley due to lack of irrigation water. Production may also decline in some fields where less water is needed in order to stretch supplies. Thus, without the necessary amount of irrigation water needed, plants will produce fewer tomatoes. Farmers will do what they can to produce as much as possible with smaller water allocations.
California cherry season ending
Sweet cherry lovers may find their favorite fruit pricier for a few weeks. California growers are wrapping up harvest and it will be a few weeks until the Washington crop gets to market. Volume from Washington growers is expected to be about 40 percent less than last year. California farmers picked about 15 percent more fruit this year and had good demand domestically and for export. The California Cherry Advisory Board reports very good fruit quality.
Farmers markets increasing in popularity 
Now that summer fruits and vegetables are available, more consumers seem to be frequenting farmers markets. Customer numbers vary from market to market, with some reporting large increases. Market managers say part of the increase may be because of higher produce prices at retail stores. Farmers who operate U-pick fields say demand is strong despite higher fuel costs for consumers to get to the farms.
Whole potatoes produce more nutrients
Researchers have discovered how one prepares potatoes has a big impact on the vegetable's nutrient content. Cubing potatoes reduces boiling time, but also reduces the potassium content. Researchers also let the potatoes soak in water overnight and found it had no impact on mineral content. Consumers who want the most nutrients from potatoes would be better off boiling or baking them whole.
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