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How has the spiking of liquid fertilizer affected the organic industry’s image?
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What do they think of us?
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There’s an illuminating story in the April 16 edition of The New York Times, headlined “To Fill Food Safety Gap, Processors Pay Inspectors.”
The story (read it here) is about the produce industry’s attempts to police itself in the wake of all the food safety scares that have been making headlines lately.
The story didn’t tell me much I didn’t already know; to me, its value lies in the viewpoint it presents. It’s a story written by a major newspaper for a general audience. It’s not written for growers, processors and others in our industry; it’s written for the people who consume what we make.
It’s possible for people in any industry to become insulated from outside viewpoints. We’re so busy agreeing with each other and reinforcing our own views that we forget there are other people out there who don’t see things the way we do. They don’t understand the inner workings of our industry, and we fail to recognize that.
Then, they read a sensational story in some newspaper or on some Web site and they flip out. Next thing we know, everybody out there thinks we’re these greedy corporate swindlers who are willing to let people get sick just so we can make a buck.
Not that The New York Times story was sensationalistic. It was a reasonable examination of the industry’s efforts to make its product safer. But it definitely wasn’t told from an industry viewpoint. That’s why it’s important for us to read stories like that.
We need to see how other people see us.
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Bob Stafford
Secretary-Treasurer, Vidalia Onion Growers Exchange
When was the Vidalia Onion Growers Exchange founded?
It became official late last year.
Who are the leaders?
Mike McKinley of M&T Farms is the president. The vice president is Anthony Cowart of Cowart Farms.
I’m also manager of the Vidalia Onion Business Council, which handles political activities and keeps growers abreast of new regulations.
What do you hope to accomplish with the new exchange?
It’s a means of communication. We want to keep everybody abreast of what’s going on. The main thing is to get together physically to discuss industry issues like supply and demand, crop quality, volume control and cost of production.
With the cost of production increasing each year and the margin of profit decreasing, it makes it more difficult for our farmers to continue farming. When our farmers have to go out of business because of this and we have to look for another country for our food supply, then we will wake up. By that time, it will be too late.
How many members are there?
There are close to 30 members, all vegetable growers. They represent about 70 percent of the Vidalia industry, which has 11,000 acres total in 20 Georgia counties.
How often do you meet? Where?
We do a lot of conference calls, but during the season we try to meet a couple times a week. During the off-season, we meet a couple times a month.
We meet wherever it’s convenient. Sometimes, we reserve a room at a restaurant.
Where’s the funding come from?
The funding comes strictly from grower assessments. The initial assessment is $250. Other assessments are levied as need arises.
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Events Calendar
June 11
Illinois Summer Horticulture Field Day
Royal Oak Farm Orchard, Harvard, Ill.
Don Naylor, 309-530-7678, ilsthortsoc@yahoo.com
June 14-15
The Michigan Food Processors Association 104th Annual Meeting
Shanty Creek Resort, Bellaire, Mich.
K. Terry Morrison, 231-271-5752, mfpa@centurytel.net
June 23-25
The International Potato Processing & Storage Convention
Delta Prince Edward Hotel, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada,
convention@crier.co.uk, www.potatoconvention.com
Click here to view more calendar listings...
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