The farming industry in 2024 has become so consolidated & centralized that most avocado farmers sell their entire crop to Big Ag processors for bottom dollar. This is what most farmers across most crops end up doing because they don't have the millions in processing equipment it takes to process most crops so they don't really have a choice. Avocados are unique because they don't ripen until picked from the tree and it takes about two weeks to naturally ripen so we can pick them and ship them direct during the season. Selling to the processor is a LOSE/LOSE situation for the Farmer & the consumer because the farmer sells his crop for bottom dollar that he worked hard to grow while the consumer ends up with old avocados that are far from fresh, in fact, they could be TWO months old.
Store-bought Organic Avocados Are Chemically Treated To Artificially Delay Ripening Up To TWO Months
The grocery store model has disconnected people from their farmers and their food and people don't realize, it's a fairly new model to the American landscape.
The Farmer sells to the Processor who sells to the Distributor who sells to the Grocery Store who sells to the Consumer. This model is unsustainable which is why it is heavily subsidized by processed junk food. Decentralization is key in building a sustainable future for small family farmers by supporting farmers directly. Direct to consumer is the very best model for fresh produce which is why farmers markets are so popular. Creating a relationship directly with the farmers who grow your food is one of the most sacred human experiences, it's truly a blessing. The longer it takes for produce to get to you, the more nutrient density it loses. And it's no longer fresh, it's preserved in ways that make it look fresh. Remember, grocery stores are all about aesthetics, it's an artificial experience, which is why half the food is artificial. Grocery stores have monopolized food distribution and now the distribution of food is in the hands of a few powerful publicly traded companies. It used to be grocery stores were local, family owned, now they are conglomerates, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger. But this model is being disrupted as consumers are seeking better experiences through learning and connecting with their food. The DTC model will be revolutionary for farmers who adopt and change for the better. The old models are crumbling. Consumers can vote with their dollars whether they want to support small family farmers or Big Ag.
“Land that is in use, if the use is to continue, must be used with care and care is not and can never be an industrial product or an industrial result.” ~ Wendell Berry
