Getting back to the topic... The answer is a resounding Yes! The challenge is actually sourcing the genuine article- through all the smoke and mirrors of Marketing. Large Supermarket chains do absolutely nothing that doesn't increase shareholder dividends- its why they exist. I've dealt with the Supermarket buyers and it's not a pleasant experience- it's cold hard business under immense price pressure. There are always more people wanting contracts than contracts available. They will not hesitate to buy Oranges from overseas with questionable safety regs. And checks to save a buck. They wont lose sleep when the orchardist ploughs his trees under. Does anyone really believe the 'Milk War' is going to help Farmers improve quality? Consumers unwittingly and uncaringly create this situation- we do It to ourselves. We, the consumers, put independent fuel suppliers out of business and gave the big boys permission to screw us over. The same with the warehouse hardware stores... We gave them permission to screw us over. It's the same with the supermarkets.... Through advertising/marketing we are all highly manipulated. It's the way of the jungle. It is the reality of life in the fast lane. If you've ever had any experience whatsoever with gardening or growing veggies you will immediately recognise that a great deal of effort goes into soil preparation. The soil is fertilized and prepared for planting and the fruits of that preparation are enjoyed at harvest time. I'm going to draw an analogy because time and space do not permit a proper explanation, but I hope you get the gist of it... I think we all understand and appreciate the negative aspects of drug use (abuse) on our bodies... I'm talking alcohol, tobacco, dope, speed, cocaine, heroin, and so on. Whatever short term gain is enjoyed by the drug use- the long term negative effects outweigh the short term benefits and with long term abuse/overdose death is the likely outcome. I draw the same analogy with the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, etc. there are real measurable short term benefits but there are long term consequences for over reliance, over use and the ultimate loser is the soil. (and us as consumers) Farms with long term chemical reliance and (I say) abuse have Dead soil- no worms, no microbes, just dead soil. Btw- disease thrives in unhealthy soil.... Chemical fertilizers and pesticides, etc have long term negative effect on the health of the soil and what is grown in it. Big brother is well aware of this. This is not some conspiracy... it is 'market reality'. Right now Strawberries are in season. You simply cannot compare the strawberries you buy in the Supermarket to what my Neighbour picked and gave me from his heirloom bushes. SuperMarket varieties are selected by totally different criteria. Taste is very low down the list. We as consumers are just becoming more accustomed to many shades of bland. This answer is way too brief but hopefully you get the picture... Like I said- the answer really does lie in the soil.... OG The other great example is Eggs... Battery hens are hatched, live and die on a diet of chemicals- then we eat them. Crack an egg from a backyard chook house and compare to the supermarket egg and then tell me you can't see, smell and taste the difference. No comparison.
