Health scares have people eating locally

NORTHWEST ALABAMA - Reports of people becoming ill in recent years from eating everything from commercially grown scallions to tomatoes have prompted many shoppers to search for produce grown close to home.

Farmers' markets in Sheffield and Florence have been busy this week as shoppers searched for tomatoes, cabbage, corn, onions, green beans, squash and other fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers.

"It seems like we're a lot busier this year," said Lawrence County produce farmer Faye Jeffreys, pausing briefly as she looked over the aisle packed with shoppers at the Colbert County Farmers Market. "A lot of people tell us they come here because they want to eat food grown around here."

Jeffreys said her customers often mention concerns about tainted tomatoes and other produce that have made their way into the nation's food supply in recent months. Most recently, the warnings have focused on tomatoes grown in Mexico and other areas.

But none of the warnings has centered on vegetables or fruits grown in Alabama.

Mattie Lard, of Waterloo, said business has been brisk at the Florence-Lauderdale County Farmers' Market. "We've had some days this year where everybody sold out of everything they had," she said. "It seems like everybody wants locally grown produce this year."

Laura Hall, of Tuscumbia, said she likes buying produce from people she knows. "I'm scared to eat much of any produce now unless I know the person who grew it."

Jordan Osborne, of Florence, said he has more confidence in the safety of fruits and vegetables grown by people he knows at the Florence market than the commercially grown products sold in many stores.

C.D. Patterson, a produce farmer from Locust Shores, said locally grown tomatoes have been extremely popular at the Colbert market. "We can hardly keep tomatoes. Everybody wants homegrown tomatoes."

Grocers and restaurants pulled some types of red tomatoes from their shelves and menus earlier this month after federal officials reported more than 140 people had been sickened by eating tomatoes contaminated with salmonella bacteria.

Food inspectors have yet to pinpoint the source of the contaminated tomatoes.

Ron Sparks, Alabama's commissioner of agriculture and industries, is encouraging residents to look for Alabama-grown tomatoes when grocery shopping.

While consumers have continued to purchase tomatoes at local farmers' markets, they have been hesitant to get them at supermarkets, Sparks said.

"People are reluctant because they understandably want to be 100 percent sure they are locally grown and safe to eat," Sparks said. "I want to remind consumers that grocery stores do have Alabama tomatoes for sale. If you don't find a sign giving the origin of the tomato, just ask the store manager."

Many stores have signs displayed in their produce section, including the "Alabama A+" logo, advertising that the tomatoes are locally grown, Sparks said.

In addition to the Florence and Sheffield farmers' markets, which are open 6 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, a market in Russellville is open 6 a.m.-noon Monday through Saturday and one at Spring Park in Tuscumbia is open 4-7 p.m. Thursdays.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@TimesDaily.com.