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<title>blogTO Recent Comments: What's Fresh, Toronto? Strawberries!</title>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/feed/recentcomments/?13697</link>
<description>Comments recently made in this post on blogTO</description>
<copyright>Copyright 2009</copyright>
<lastBuildDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:42:02 PST</lastBuildDate>
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<title>Don</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I am off topic, but I really like that first picture. Nice work.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c642784</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c642784</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:38:39 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Lauren</title>
<description><![CDATA[
The season peaks in a few weeks - and they will taste best then.  While you can get sweet ripe berries now, it depends on the producer and when they decided to harvest.  If it was too early then the berries will not be all that sweet.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630753</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630753</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:31:47 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Kevin</title>
<description><![CDATA[
The problems with getting Ontario Strawberries into supermarkets and many.

First, since most people now want and expect access to strawberries year round, the big chains sign year-round supply contracts with big growers in California and who deliver 'x' quantity per week.

The chains have no desire and not much flexibility to just drop their import supply for 5 weeks of the year.

It should also be said they couldn't anyway, as Ontario and the other strawberry growing provinces don't actually produce enough to meet domestic demand, even in season.  Of course, they used to before the big chains signed those California contracts!

Secondly, Local strawberry producers if they aren't part of a multinational distribution system, don't often have access to the processing facilities or the blast chillers or the freezer trucks that those California producers do.  Ontario producers don't have the volume to justify the investment.  But that means berries last only 2-3 days from picking before they start to turn.  Of course because they aren't over handled and processed and are fresher, Ontario Berries taste much better in my opinion..... but people by more on ease-of-access and price, than taste.

Finally, because Ontario producers lack scale and volume, they can't generally price as cheaply as the imports.   If you get them from the farmer, they may be able to compete (as they can take the middleman's share and the retail share); but when selling to a distributor who then peddles them to the big retailer, the farmer may only see a few cents per quart extra, but by the time that difference gets marked up twice, it can be a dollar or more difference at the retail level.

It should be said that the middlemen are generally necessary as big chains have no interest in working with one farmer who can only supply one store or two, they want to deal with someone who can supply ALL their stores ideally, but at the very least a dozen or more in an area.   That preference is a real hindrance to local produce being more available at major retailers.

Reversing the process that led to this problem would be an inspired idea, but how many people are ready to commit to seasonal eating, or are prepared to pay even a few pennies more for locally-produced products?   So perhaps, that is just wishful thinking.]]>
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<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630607</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630607</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:16:17 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>jrabbit</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I tried to buy strawberries last week at the Bloor Borden farmer's market but non of the vendors stock were sweet. They were all mealy and had little or no taste. Or they were sour.

So my suggestion is taste before you buy!]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630471</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630471</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:45:09 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>Sar</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I think it's a Toronto thing that they charge so much for them here. I bought a flat (8 quarts) of super fresh Ontario strawberries in Mitchell, Ontario (about 20 mins. west of Stratford) on the weekend for $2.99 a quart (at a chain grocery store, no less). At one of the reopened markets yesterday, I saw them for $5 a quart! I happened to be in the Stratford area visiting family. but if you happen to be going out of town, you just might find better deals.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630443</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630443</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:18:23 PDT</pubDate>
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<title>James</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I usually make jam and freeze berries. It's been frustrating that none of the major grocery store chains seem to be carrying Ontario berries. When I do see them they are very expensive. I'm not inclined to drive a long distance to a farmer's market with very limited hours (closing at 1pm, 2pm?? kind of a joke)

I'm curious as to what the problem is. Is it the grocery store chains? Is it the distribution network? Is it the farmers?
]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630390</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630390</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:51:35 PDT</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>m diggity</title>
<description><![CDATA[
woah. those look delicious. picking some of those suckers up tonight, on the real. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630368</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630368</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:12:57 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
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<title>Ryan</title>
<description><![CDATA[
That should say "of granola"]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630325</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630325</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:17:53 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Ryan</title>
<description><![CDATA[
mmmm, these go great on a bowl in granola.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630321</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630321</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:15:27 PDT</pubDate>
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<item>
<title>St. Andrew's Farmers' Market</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Check out the strawberries and other farm-fresh produce at the new St. Andrew's Farmers' Market, Saturdays 9am-1pm, Adelaide West @ Maud.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630300</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2009/06/whats_fresh_toronto_strawberries/#c630300</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:29:59 PDT</pubDate>
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