Hello @sreypov and @justineparke!
The store you were in is like the Asian Shop I visit here in my district where I get some exotic fruits or veggies. I guess the products are similar. Although I would say the prices there are higher than here even if some products were imported. I am seeing now in most supermarkets here that they are adapting the veggies sold in tropical countries in Asia.
Before, pak choi was not available here nor the sweet potatoes, but more and more farmers are discovering our asian veggies so they crop them in plastic tents. We live in Spain half year during winter time. Have you heard about the plastic tents in Almeria, Spain? That´s where most fruits and veggies come from distributed in western Europe. The Netherlands are also competing with these tent farmers as well as Italy. But Almeria is the main source because they do not have the hard winter. It is also the main source of Spain´s GDP as well as their tourism industry. The point is, the ecology of Almeria is a worse case scenario. These plastic wastes are not properly processed when their life has ended and is a huge problem in the area. There was a time when a dead whale had been discovered in the nearby shore and finding the cause of its death, they found so many plastic waste in his abdomen... A pity for the fishes in the region!
Hi @mers from Suriname! I hope you are well. I am sorry my English is not good, so I just understand some words but @justinparke will to reply you soon. Thank you so much for your kind words. Have a great day 😊.
It's ok dear, I do understand it. Have a lovely day there in Suriname.
I've seen a documentary film about that place in Spain where they grow like this for kilometers in every direction. It is definitely hideous and unsustainable, but it's not as damaging as the way farmers in the USA grow most things.
Hi Justine,
In what way do farmers grow in the US? Is it about the issue of GMO crops? GMO crops are still prohibited in the EU. The lobby of the Greens are strong against it. I probably won't buy these products myself..
The GMOs definitely, also the monocrop farming destroys the soil, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and lots of erosion. Where I'm from it's corn and soy as far as the eye can see, and you'll have to drive your car at least 15km just to buy a tomato or anything fresh.
It makes no sense to farm like this, but the tax incentives cause profit-driven farmers to play along with the government incentives. Big meat, dairy, corn, soy, and wheat subsidies means those are the cheapest ingredients available, so it leaves vegan who likes whole foods having to spend 40% more on groceries every month compared to a processed-food eater.