This week's egg recall is the latest example of the modern supply chain shortcomings. The ability to recall food is extremely poor.

In case you think recalling food is not that common, take a look at recalls.org, august alone will have dozens of recalls.

Myself, I am so happy I buy my eggs from Powisset Farm :)

With New England Farmers Markets always in mind, every search for local produce on the West Coast becomes a study of contrasts.  The Portland (OR) Farmers Market is an almost pure agricultural experience, instantly recognizable to fans of markets around Boston.  Pike Place, a tourist destination and one of the most famous markets in the world, is a wholly different experience.  It's mostly indoors (this is, after all, in Seattle).  It's in motion every day, and covers a lot of space.  And it stretches the definition:  we were just as likely to find t-shirts as tomatoes, sort of a hybrid of a farmers market and Quincy Market.  But the place is packed, and is tremendous fun. 

Oregon has a deep tradition of passion for fresh produce and environmental stewardship.  Nowhere is that more apparent than at the Portland Farmer's Market, which features some 200 vendors offering everything from local wines to honey, and fresh fruit to pastured meats.  One big clue about environmental commitment:  Areas for waste disposal, apparently provided by the city, offer not just receptacles for recycling and trash, but also for compost - and even coffee sold at the market comes in compostable cups!

New England farmers, specialty food producers, and artisans will come together for the 14th annual Massachusetts Marketplace Festival on Saturday, August 7th from 10:00am-4:00pm at the Gardens at Elm Bank in Wellesley. Homemade crafts, soaps, baked goods, popcorn, teas, herbs, fine art, and annual plants from vendors located throughout Massachusetts and New England will be available for sampling and purchase.

Boston is finally slated to get its own downtown public food market — a showcase for dozens of New England agricultural businesses that will sell locally grown produce, artisan cheeses, seafood, and meats ...

for more info see, Public food market gets $10m promise

Skip the grocery story and head for the Farmers Market instead.  "Our Tomatoes score 100"  :)

Read the Wall Street Journal Story

Does this new US Department of Agriculture report describe you?

"This comprehensive overview ... describes the characteristics of local consumers and producers, and examines early indications of the economic and health impacts of local food systems."