Catching up

There is nothing better than feeling like you are caught up with everything. I haven't felt that way in a while, especially since I started this blog. There is always one more call, one more email to process, one more interview to transcribe, one more story to write or one more message to post. Not to mention one life to lead in the meantime.....

What's happening to California's asparagus industry? Growers are understandably bitter that Mexico and Peru are gaining market share while Stockton Delta producers are losing acres, with the full participation of retailers and consumers. While California growers pay their workers $10 per hour, Mexico growers may pay $10 per day. One industry source told me a large grower in the Delta region is taking out 600 acres of asparagus this year. This hasn't happened overnight, so retailers shouldn't be surprised at the reality of escalating import dependence.

Not long ago I chatted with Leanne Skelton and Eric Forman about the reasons why the number of terminal market inspections are declining over a five year period. That is one of the interviews I need to transcribe. Another source I talked to today wondered if the USDA inspection training courses for the industry may be one contributing factor. What do you all think? Are the inspection classes creating more self-reliance in the industry relating to inspections?