Sunday, August 30

whats pissing me off right now...

Californian grapes flooding the market with slick advertising, sales tables and free samples. They're not only flown half way round the world, but they're frickin grapes! (something exotic I might turn a blind eye too on a bad day). Its winter. NOT.GRAPE.SEASON. I have to confess to being quite loud with my incredulity and horror as I passed the tasting table. Hoping that my snarky food miles comments and the ridiculousness of consumer demand for grapes mid winter got a few thinking. Food activism in action! Give it a go. Its quite theraputic.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

I love grapes, but only buy them when in season in Austalia. I too am very vocal when in the supermarket fresh food section about what is in or out of season in our local area. Fresh food people, my arse. Planet killers, more likely with all that air freight. Some people just don't get it. But then again, they won't get the shock when it just gets too damb expensive to air freight all this crap between the north and south hemishperes.

You are right, it is kind of theraputic!

Green Bean said...

I totally agree. I'm in California but do the same thing when we've got the watermelons and blueberries lounging around mid-winter here. Seriously! And yet, everyone who makes fruit salad here makes the same fruit salad supper, spring, fall or winter - grapes, watermelon, berries. Eating seasonally makes you appreciate the different fruits and try new things.

Mia 'agoodhuman' said...

We get our fruit from the farmers market or our own backyard and enjoy eating seasonally, but I just can't get Hubby to kick his banana addiction. Eeekkk. He understands food miles and all the eco issues involved with imported bananas but he still won't give them up *sigh*

Kale for Sale said...

This is exactly what I needed to read today! Thank you. I was thinking I was the only one that has a rise in temperature at the production and distribution of some foods. I had a friend mention salmon yesterday and I snapped, saying haven't you heard we don't have salmon any more. Well, of course we do but in such small numbers the west coast fisheries are closed for the second year in a row and everyone eats farmed salmon so really what's the problem. Ha! I was seriously considering having a news black out for awhile so I could breathe normally. But it's not going to happen. And then I had scallops the other night that were divine and flown in from Maine. So really I'm a planet killer too except when it comes to fruit. I do what I can and then I have exceptions.

Jen said...

Nice one, Kel! I can just imagine your exaggerated eye rolling and snarkiness at the grape display. LOL!

greenfumb said...

Im with you, I think food should have compulsory food mile labelling so that people are forced to think about it.

AND How tedious it is to eat the same fruit all year, I love the change of seasons. The very very best grapes are the ones you get at the farmers/organic market - my favourite are shiraz or one of the other wine grapes.

Susan said...

Agree with you totally - I stare in horror at the grapes and also the cherries from the US. Resisting those is really difficult as I love cherries but I just can't manage to stick them in my gob anymore when I know ALL the costs associated with bringing them to me at this time of year.

Annuska said...

And here we are waiting for mango season. They will taste the better after all this wait although kids are starting to suggest a holiday in Thailand to be able to eat them! haha
In Spain the tradition is to eat grapes in New Year's day so I always thought at least some grapes made it to early winter! I have to check again why do we do that and since when!

Kelly said...

gav-this wasnt even in the stupor, but the small local grocer trying to comepte with the stupor! great therapy indeed!

greenbean-really, its that predictable? wow. entrenched habits . Agree totally, delayed gratification is so necessary to learn and known on so many levels.

mia- yes, i will confess that we eat nthn nsw bananas too! and sometimes a sweet potato from there too. our two food vices!

kale- 100% perfection is very tricky. be kind and know that consciousness is more than half way! thoughtful consumption is really where were all headed isnt it?

jen - i was very polite about my snark!


greenfumb- totally 100% with you on this. food mile labelling is a great education tool and serves many purposes. Bring it on. i remember looking in a stor in the us and seeing a mango had flown over 3000 miles!! to be therre. Impossible!

Susan - hello and welcome. yes, i forgot the cherries!!!!! how crazy, theyre Christmas food to me! and only then. well done on the resistance!

annuska - maybe better to fly the mango here....lol and i m sure theres a late summer/autumn grape but late winter...???

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