by Richard Frisbie
Member since:
December 19, 2005

Costa Rican Honeydew, Pineapple & Vegetables

January 07, 2008 11:35 AM EST
views: 102 | comments: 28

Did you ever wonder where the produce in your supermarket comes from and how much it actually costs? We are bombarded with exotic vegetables as we enter the store - high priced and often foreign looking fruits and vegetables along side of organic and ordinary fare.  

YUCA--CASSAVA at $2.49 lb (cost $.225/lb)

PINEAPPLES at $2.99 (cost $.6625 each)

and

CHAYOTE (the new wonder replacement for potatoes) at $2.99 lb (cost $.2125/lb)

Well, below is a copy of an email I received this morning offering to ship cases of the exotics to my door. The prices are FOB Costa Rica, so shipping is where the huge prices come from. (It is estimated that the average fruit & vegetable travels 1500 miles to our tables) With the skyrocketing cost of fuel, and the impact that burning it has on our environment, can we in good conscience continue to support such practices?

 This is another reason to buy in season from local growers.

See for yourself: 

Dear Produce Importers,



We are a Costa Rican grower with office in Florida. We supply Honeydews, Pineapple,
Cantaloupes, Melon, Water Melon and Vegetables.


We have in Pital , San Carlos Costa Rica our farm, warehouse and export and packing facilities.

Please return your emails to xxx

See bellow items we export from Costa Rica.


White Honeydew...............7.00 USD in box of 10 Kg (EXW Warehouse Costa Rica) starting week 8, 2008

Yellow Honeydew..............7.20 USD in box of 10 Kg (EXW Warehouse Costa Rica) starting week 8, 2008

size 5,6,7,8
1400 box in 40´
label: xxx

* PINEAPPLES SIZES 5,6,7 md2 ----------12 KG-- $7.95

* YUCA--CASSAVA WAXED --------------- 40 LBS $9.00

* WHITE MALANGA --------------------------- 40 LBS $19.00

* LILE MALANGA ------------------------------- 40 LBS $19.00

* WHITE YAM -------------------------------------40 LBS $10.00

* EDDOES MALANGA------------------------- 40 LBS $17.00

* GINGER (Costa Rican type---------------) 40 LBS $11.00


* CHAYOTE ----------------------------------------- 40 LBS $8.50

* YAMPEEN --------------------------------------- 40 LBS $21.00

* DRIED COCONUT ------------------------------32 KG-- $18.00

* RECAU coriander (Coriandrum sativum) FOB san Jose AIRPORT

---------------------------------------------------------------7 KG $13.00

* RECAU coriander (Coriandrum sativum) FOB san Jose AIRPORT

--------------------------------------------------------------3.5 KG $7.50

Let us know what you need.

List of Fresh Products WE CAN SUPPLY FROM COSTA RICA

==============================================

Pepper (all colors)

Eggplant

Water Melons

Melons

Cantaloupes

Fresh coconuts (jelly nuts)

Dry coconuts

Bananas

Pineapple Golden Ripe / MD2

Waxed Cassava

Lile Malanga

White Malanga

Coco Yam

Chayote

Sweet Potato

Green Plantains

Eddoes Malanga

White Yam

Yampeen

Squash, jamaiquina and Golden Seal

Kabocha Squash

Papaya

Green Coconut

Dried Coconut

Golden Goose Berry

Ginger

Recau

Jícama

Mangos

Mini Vegetables

Carrots

Holland Cucumber (Euro type)

Flowers

Helechos, Plants

List of Frozen Products (Natural Frozen Brand)

Cassava

Sweet potato

White Malanga

Sancocho (TROPICALS MIXED to make Soups)

Green Plantains

Yellow Plantains

White Yam

Squash, jamaiquina, Golden Seal and Kabocha Squash

Fruits Pulps: Mango, Papaya, Pineapple, Melons, Mango, Green GUAVA.

List of ECO Products (Kopali Brand)

Organic Coffee

Organic Cacao

Organic Bananas

Organic Banana Vinegar

Chocolate Covered Cacao NIBS

Organic Coconut Oil

Organic Whole Bean Coffee

Organic Dried Mango

We would like to check possibility of supply on yearly
contract basis. We have in South Florida our sales office and warehouse
capabilities too.

We can ship 3 to 4 days the above items.

All prices are FOB Ex our warehouse (via Limon sea port - Atlantic or San-Jose air port)

Ask for pictures for each item



We are available to start an planning program with your company to supply
on regular basis.

Let us know if you can visit our farm. Please see our site  or call me



Regards,

David
Pital
San Carlos
Costa Rica

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Comments: 28

Bobbie S. Jan 7, 2008, 11:40am EST
So true Richard, our rising costs on all products are due to the inflation in oil/fuel. transporting costs so much that the consumer ultimately pays the high prices.
It is much easier to buy from local producers if you live in an area where it is available, but unfortunately, many city dwellers don't have that option and must buy what is handy at the supermarkets or stands. I don't buy the exotics fresh, usually frozen as they are, as you pointed out, extremely expensive. I've also learned to substitute different fruits/veggies so that I can use local and not imports.
☃ Aunt Shanny Jan 7, 2008, 11:43am EST
I agree with Katie. And I certainly wouldn't need 40 lbs of anything!
I would rather just go live in Costa Rica & eat all of their wonderful food in abundance~
Chuck M. Jan 7, 2008, 11:52am EST
Good article. I live near a large farming community, so we do buy all of our vegetables and fruits locally and we save a ton of money doing that. The prices are a million times cheaper than at the grocery store. What's bad though is that sometimes you are at the mercy of what's in season at the time.
Chuck M. Jan 7, 2008, 11:55am EST
Also, in addition to the food, we shop at the Amish salvage stores for paper products, canned goods, etc. Again the prices are way under the pricing of even Walmart. For example, I'm big on Cottonelle double rolls - the 12 packs. At Walmart they are anywhere from 6.99 to 7.99 depending on which Walmart I'm at in my area. At the Amish salvage stores, the exact same product costs me $4.99. The savings are huge at these stores.
Richard Frisbie Jan 7, 2008, 11:58am EST
A member of a farm co-op could end up with 40 lbs of whatever is ripe and in season that week, so the quantity issue is dealt with everyday. It means preserving (freezing/canning/drying) the way rural farm communities always did. Admittedly, and sadly, that is an impossibility for many, today.

I was just struck by how inexpensive these things really are when you can buy them in season where they are grown. I like Priscilla's idea!

Thanks everyone for commenting!
Richard Frisbie Jan 7, 2008, 12:00pm EST
Hi Chuck! I never heard of Amish salvage stores before - sounds as if I'd like to shop there too! Thanks
Lisa Gensheimer Jan 7, 2008, 12:04pm EST
Oh Richard, can I ever vouch for Chayote, or "güisquil" as they call this wonderful vegetable in Guatemala. I had never heard of it before. We were treated to some picked fresh from the garden outside the home of Betty, a Mayan woman of Kaqchikel descent, who also made us some homemade pinol, a delicious corn-based chicken soup. The chicken was butchered only an hour earlier on our behalf. I will try and post some photos soon.
Janet Somewhere Up On The Mount Jan 7, 2008, 12:07pm EST
This is what I miss most about living in Panama. Going down to the market early and getting fresh made bread and all the fresh fruit and vegtables you could imagine. Not to mention all the fresh fish and meat. I have yet to get a bad piece of meat from overseas.
Linda G. Jan 7, 2008, 12:44pm EST
I try to buy local produce in season, but sometimes give way to bananas or pineapple. I live in a community with active farms and buy directly from the farms about six months of the year. It is environmentally responsible, good for our community and usually bettrr tasting because things are fresh. I cannot purchase a tomato in the grocery store for weeks after havin one picked that day from the farm. The produce in the food chains tends to be colorful, but tasteless and hard as a rock.
Richard Frisbie Jan 7, 2008, 12:56pm EST
Hello Lisa - thanks, I imagine anything would be better if you got it straight from the garden - even poison ivy! (don't know where that came from - sorry!)
I read up on Chayote and then bought it and cooked it - great - even old in the supermarket. But I can't afford to eat like that everyday!
Peter C. Frank Jan 7, 2008, 1:11pm EST
This email obviously was meant for caterers, restaurants, supermarkets, groceries, and other such businesses. I don't think it was meant for the individual. Interesting how it was sent to you; was it sent to a business email address?
Richard Frisbie Jan 7, 2008, 1:26pm EST
Thanks Peter - is it obvious - and more significant for the prices and distance traveled than whatever other hats I may wear. The description to my gather column may give you a hint why I receive emails like this one:
RICHARD FRISBIE is published twice a month to Gather Essentials: Food
It is a food junkie's take on growing, raising, preparing and - above all else - eating food. Together we'll explore the trends, addictions, equipment and regional specialties that make up the sometimes mundane and sometimes sublime cooking and dining experience.
That and my background as a produce manager, and the produce sections I had in the Nursery & Garden Centers I ran.
Frankly, I'm more surprised at the frequent offers to buy production molds than the offers of bulk agricultural products that I usually get from China, South Africa and now Costa Rica. The internet is an amazing thing!
Dorine H. Jan 7, 2008, 2:22pm EST
Katie, Philadelphia, my hometown, is the 5th ;argest city in the US. Nevertheless, we can get fresh, local produce throughout the season. The farmers bring it into town to sell at specific farmers' market locations that we all know about and go to on their specific days, so one might go to Fairmont Ave. on Th., Rittenhouse Sq. on Sat. and Passyunk Ave. on Tues., etc. Or the Reading Terminal every day (the Amish don't come on Sunday, but others do). Or we can join a CSA through farmtocity.org and get a weekly box in season (usually 20-25 weeks, depending on the farm you choose) you can pick up at one of the several pickup points on the list of choices. You can stay in the CSA for the wonter stuff if you like, and et fresh winter items such as most roots and cabbages from Nov-April. And you know the farmer and the source.

While I enoy the exotics and experimenting with them, I do believe in mostly eating local and seasonal so it means I don't eaat giant CA strawerries, but stick to the small local ones from organi or at least sustainable family farms when seasonally available. Imported egs simply have too big a carbon footprint and have a greater risk of being loaded with pesticides and being GM.

I love the Amish stores! My favorite is one off Nickle Mine Road near Gap, PA. It's worth the drive, esp whwen you have friends in the area to visit as I have, to fill the car!
Lyn Owen Jan 7, 2008, 2:26pm EST
You are so right on. I live in Wisconsin and buy from the farmers market whenever I can. Winter is pretty hard on the fruit and vegetable lovers here though, except for the roots we gather in the fall. I think I am going back to canning this yeaar as I reuse my jars and get it while the gettin's good.
Kimberly Ripley Jan 7, 2008, 2:48pm EST
When in FL in the winter, we usually find some great prices for fruit and veggies at local stands. I much prefer to buy there. They're often immigrants who own small local groves or farms. The produce is typically exceptional in quality and taste!
Richard Frisbie Jan 7, 2008, 2:55pm EST
Thanks Dorine - as much as I love out of season produce, I find it unconscionable to buy those strawberries. It amazes me they can be so cheap so far from home. Winter strawberries was the first product I realized was simply wrong to eat. The list grows every time I go to the store!

BUT I still buy Yucca occasionally, citrus (now I grow my own lemons!) and bananas. I froze a lot of fresh veggies last summer & fall too. But - I know I could do more. Habit and time interfere.
Madame Donna C. Jan 9, 2008, 12:11am EST
Richard, what I love about the writing of Michael Pollan is his dedication to the same kind of enlightening things you bring to our attention here. Eating locally and seasonally is environmentally responsible. It's a sacrifice to do without some items or have the patience to wait until the "right" season but isn't that what makes the foods so special when they make their seasonal appearances? I love looking forward to asparagus in the springtime and summer fruits.
Richard Frisbie Jan 9, 2008, 10:55am EST
Madame, you are so right. There have been a number of recipes here using asparagus that I'm waiting for spring to try. Anticipation is virtually unknown in this "I WANT IT NOW" society. That is a sad indication of our lack of maturity, and a condemnation of our current "values".
FYI - pineapples are on sale for $1.99 this week. Do I buy one because it is just going to get thrown out if I don't, or do I let it get thrown out (with NO benefit for all the energy expended) in hopes that they don't do it again? a dilemma
Madame Donna C. Jan 9, 2008, 8:08pm EST
Richard, I try to use some moderation. I did break the rule for new years eve when I made my galette with asparagus. However, in general I wouldn't have purchased them. I try to adhere to my convictions although, like everyone else, I succumb on occasion because I crave a particular food. Now, I'm waiting until Spring to buy any more though.
Richard Frisbie Jan 10, 2008, 10:07am EST
I understand, Madame. I saw the asparagus over the Holidays for $4.99 a lb and found it easy to resist, but when it is out of season AND cheap, THAT's when I struggle with my conscience!
Dorine H. Jan 11, 2008, 2:56pm EST
Yes, it's when they manage to make it cheap out of season--and you have to wonder how they do it--that it becomes hard to stick to your in-season-local guns.
Richard Frisbie Jan 11, 2008, 3:07pm EST
Hi Dorine - I like that you have such great local produce markets in Philly. Every time I travel I go to the local markets and can't believe how lucky the residents are (I always lament that I have no kitchen in my hotel, too!) Here, we have access, but it's a drive, not a walk. Good for you!
David C. Jan 12, 2008, 1:37pm EST
interesting article. I've enjoyed farmers markets but there aren't any especially handy to me, so I get most of my produce from Whole Foods. They do feature a lot of locally grown, but I also got some nice (very marked up I'm sure) blueberries from Costa Rica!
Richard Frisbie Jan 12, 2008, 2:10pm EST
It is hard to pass up good buys, David. Besides the "buy local" movement we are all seeing, though, there is the concern that if we aren't buying local and helping to develop and maintain local food sources, they'll (and subsequently we'll) be lost.
Barbary Chaapel Jan 12, 2008, 3:42pm EST
I'm always happy to read your interesting and informative articles, Richard.
Richard Frisbie Jan 12, 2008, 4:14pm EST
Thanks for the kind words Barbary.

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