[outsider1]

This is sort of a survey question. Well, maybe that's just a sociologist in me, but I thought this might be interesting for everyone. How much do you pay per pound(or per item on certain things) for the following items(especially when they are in season in Fl) in your area. If possible, please tell your general location and the types of stores that you usually frequent. I'm particularly curious about the difference between local fruit markets, chain establishments such Publix, Winn Dixie or SuperWalmart as well as farmers' markets where you buy directly from the producer.

vegetables:
- tomatoes
- cucumbers
- potatoes
- eggplant
- bell peppers
- zuccini
- carrots
- beets
- melons
- watermelons

fruits:
- fl oranges
- fl tangerines
- fl grapefruits
- banana
- avocado(does Florida-grown Carribean variety ever get to the stores?)
- mango
- apples
- grapes
- persimmons(do you ever see locally grown ones?)

[lovelyrita81]

I cant help with you entire list but I did purchase tomatoes at Publix yesterday for $1.99 / lb. The tomatoes came from Canada.

Lots of the fruits and vegetables here are from South America or Mexico. It is something that bothers me because I try to buy American products and with the growing season in Florida, seems to be no reason to import produce that can be grown here.

In general, food costs more here and there is less selection in the stores than in Connecticut where I'm from.

[bale002]

And there is a guy on another thread claiming that Florida agriculture is in great shape. But maybe this applies more to northern Florida than to southern Florida.

In any case, at least in southern Florida, you can find some local produce at independent produce stands. While the appearance of quality is inferior to what one usually finds in the big supermarket chains, the actual quality is comparable and the prices are anywhere from 25% to 75% less, unless one of the big chains is running a special on strawberries or melons when in season in Florida.

Your list is really too long to expect detailed answers on a forum like this, but, to answer a few, at an independent produce stand:

cucumbers, 5 for $1
eggplant $1.50 lb
zucchini $1.50 lb
bananas $0.29 lb
carrots 2 bags $1
peppers $1.50 lb
melons 2 for $3
apples $1.50 lb
grapefruit 3 for $2

Hope this helps.

[Bobbyjim]

I lived in the Naples area for 15 years before moving to north Fl. I willn't say where because it hasn't been over run yet.
Collier County is big farming area in Fl. I lived right next door to 2000 acres of tomatoes and of course had all I wanted. Plus surranded by other farms up and down the road from me.
All kinds of vegetables where grown in the county. All the farms had there packing houses right on the farms which were with in a couple of miles of Publix, Winn Dixie and other local stores.
But when you went to buy the prices where out of site. The local Naples newspaper had a front page article on vegetable prices. They said the local stores marked up vegetable by 800%-900%. When ever I went into the stores you would always see them taking boxes of rotten items to the back.
I guess it's more profitable to sell high and throw out half.