With almost 2,000 cases of Cyclospora attributed to contaminated iceberg lettuce, grocers and consumers are seeking out new sources for salad greens.
Grocers and Consumers Turn to Local Hydroponic Lettuce Amid Cyclospora Outbreak
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Nearly 2,000 Cyclospora cases have been linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce from central Mexico, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Taco Bell, a major user of shredded iceberg lettuce, reports that in-store sales are down 2 percent amid customer concerns about the outbreak.
In Idaho, some growers and grocers are responding to increased interest in alternative sources of lettuce. GreenWave Hydroponics in Fruitland produces enough lettuce and herbs to fill approximately 4,000 packages each week. Its produce is sold at grocery stores throughout the region.
The Boise Co-op sources its local food from Idaho producers located within 150 miles of the store. GreenWave owner Amos Wengerd also operates a pop-up market for customers seeking locally grown greens.
Tammy Scardino, Market to Market’s Mountain West bureau chief, reports.
Transcript
At GreenWave Hydroponics in Fruitland, Idaho, this sea of leafy greens receives its nutrients from water. Owner Amos Wengerd grows enough lettuce and herbs to fill 4,000 packages a week. His produce is sold in a handful of grocery stores across the region.
Amos Wengerd, Owner, GreenWave Hydroponics: “Everyday, I get calls of people wondering if our lettuce is safe to eat and absolutely. It's grown in this controlled environment, and we don't spray any pesticides or anything. A lot of the lettuce is grown hydroponically. It never gets any dirt, it never gets contaminants so very safe to eat… A lot of times, we’re the only local option in grocery stores.”
That’s not the case at one of their customer’s storefronts. At the Boise Co-op, all of their local foods are sourced from Idaho, within 150 miles.
Tyler Schnur, Senior Director of Marketing, Boise Co-op Market: “The further away your food is and the corporations and different types of things that are layered in there, by the time your food makes it from production to your table… people just like less meddling and want to know it wasn’t sprayed with harmful pesticides and all kinds of ingredients that aren’t good for their health and good for their bodies.”
Wengerd also operates his own pop up market.
Amos Wengerd, Owner, GreenWave Hydroponics: “People are definitely on the lookout for more local, more safe.”
For Market to Market, I’m Tammy Scardino.
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