Publix and local produce? Why do they buy Pennsylvania grown? (Tallahassee: buying, organic)

[bigley]

Does anyone know why publix does not buy local produce? I have been aware that there are two mushroom farms in Florida and Publix instead of buying from them (and perserving local jobs) they buy mushrooms from producers in Pennsylvania. Not only does that mean we get older produce but also the cost and waste of energy to bring them to florida!!!! I think this is outrageous. Albersons and Costco both buy local mushrooms rather than pennsylvania grown. Does anyone know of any other examples of Publix doing this on other produce?

[BuenoQueHacemohAhora]

Granted, I do not know the answer as "fact", but feel comfortable in guessing the reason is "the market".

It is the same reason most things we buy are made in a variety of third world countries and not here.

If it where less expensive for publix to buy them from a local grower, and the local grower met their quality requirements, you can bet your first born that they would buy their shrooms from a local producer.

Probably both Costco and Albertsons, have been able to negotiate a deal with the local growers that is more favorable to them than buying from elsewhere.

[Granny Sue]

I'd call Publix district office...simple as that.

[BeenAroundTheBlock]

Personally I think Publix produce, at least in my store, is terrible. I wouldn't care where they get it as long as it is fresh. Tomatos? Forget it. They should get them from Jersey...

P.S. Pennsylvania grows and distributes a lot of mushrooms.

[bigley]

Well it is fact that Publix does not buy local mushrooms I had it confirmed at a local Publix store by the produce manager. As far as mushroom prices the local mushroom farms would have met the pricing of produce grown in pennsylvania, as a matter of fact I think the mushroom farm in Tallahassee is going out of business because Publix started buying from Pa rather than from them. There is news about this on the internet. I just think Publix is so large they do what they want regardless of the community needs. I think they are about as close to a monopoly in Florida as you can get and not break any rules.

[orlandoyankee]

Originally Posted by bigley

Does anyone know why publix does not buy local produce? I have been aware that there are two mushroom farms in Florida and Publix instead of buying from them (and perserving local jobs) they buy mushrooms from producers in Pennsylvania. Not only does that mean we get older produce but also the cost and waste of energy to bring them to florida!!!! I think this is outrageous. Albersons and Costco both buy local mushrooms rather than pennsylvania grown. Does anyone know of any other examples of Publix doing this on other produce?

I notice in the summer, Publix gets their peaches from California. They are OK but why in the world would you get peaches from a state almost 3000 miles away when we live right next to the "Peach State"? In general, the produce from Publix leaves a lot to be desired. We either get our produce from Costco or a local fruit store.

[Lorilandis]

I can not imagine why a Florida based company would buy mushrooms or any other produce for that matter from an out of state company if they are able to obtain a quality product within the state. The fact that they truck the product from Pennsylvania burning fuel that the cost of is rising everyday is beyond me. Not to mention what that is doing to our environment. Thanks for the info I will keep this in mind as I purchase food for my family. A matter of fact maybe they should change there store colors away from the green they so proudly display.

[CaliEarthGirl]

well I know for produce such as apples- they pick them prematurely and store them up to a year. When a distributor or coorporation buys them (the prices are extremely cheap because they are in bulk), they gas them to start the process of ripening and then coat them with a plastic gas to preserve taste and ensure a 'flawless' presentation upon arriving to the supermarket. with every apple your getting a daily serving of chemicals as well. My solution= buy organic at your farmers market or wholistic grocery store.

Local items are riskier because they ripen very fast and are typically not sold in massive bulk. . . why would a bunch of coorporate buisness men care about their carbonfootprint or community, their in it for the $$$

[DavieJ89]

something i have noticed as a publix employee, is that we are selling oranges for 79 cents a lb this week (maybe that was last week) and those oranges come from california

riddle me that one?

[sp2007]

Because PA is the #1 producer of delicious mushrooms in the US and by far, a higher quality product than found else where. That's why.

Is Publix getting all their citrus from South America too?