EAST BLOOMFIELD, N.Y. — A farm market in Ontario County is seeing an increase in business as more customers turn toward family farms amid the recent cyclospora outbreak.
Nationwide, there are more than 18,000 confirmed or suspected cases of cyclosporiasis, the disease caused by the cyclospora parasite. New York is among the hard-hit states. Chip White, owner of White’s Farm Market in East Bloomfield, says more customers are asking questions about where produce comes from, who grew it, and whether the seller follows quality control procedures because of the outbreak.
“There’s a commitment that we have to them, and there’s a commitment they have to us. There’s that growth of being able to know the people who are buying from you and know that your network is safe, and experience is basically the only way you’re going to get there,” White said.
White says the farm market relies on decades-long relationships with growers across the Rochester and Buffalo area. He says ensuring produce safety starts before items hit the shelves. That involves choosing growers he’s built relationships with for decades and going through a checklist of what chemicals they use, if any, as well as their cleanliness and control.
Where White’s Farm Market gets its produce
White’s Farm Market grows several types of produce in-house. For other products, like iceberg and romaine lettuce, they rely on sources across the Rochester to Buffalo area, along with Mennonite growers. White says it’s on local farmers to educate shoppers on every step of the growing process.
“They need to know where it comes from,” he said. “That’s where people, you know, standing behind their business, they should be there to tell them where it comes from, who their growers are and how they get it or what they grow their own. I think this information is important for the safety to people, letting them know that they’re dealing with somebody that has the knowledge, period.”
A worker at White’s Farm Market says one way you can notice the difference between farm market and grocery store produce is by how large and fluffy the leaves are.
White also talked about his long-standing relationship with the founders of Farm Aid, a nonprofit organization focused on raising awareness of family farms and keeping them running.
How to wash fruit to protect yourself
Buying local doesn’t eliminate your risk of foodborne illness. Before washing your produce, wash your hands. Rinse your fruit and vegetables under cool running water, even if you plan to peel them.
Do not use soap. The Centers for Disease Control says water is the safest and most effective option. Use a clean brush on potatoes, cucumbers, and melons. If you’re washing lettuce or cabbage, remove the outer leaves first, then rinse the remaining leaves under running water.
No cases of cyclosporiasis have been confirmed in the Rochester area.
Farm Aid Day on Saturday
White’s Farm Market will hold a festival on Saturday, Aug. 1, for Farm Aid Day. It will feature live music, a silent auction, a raffle, a corn shucking contest, and a chicken barbecue. It runs from noon to 4 p.m. You can learn more here.
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