Anyone doing anything for Thanksgiving?

NigelUno wrote:I am going to start my tomato garden.

InTenSity wrote:
I won't need them in 90 days!

NigelUno wrote:

The tomato famine will be over by then?  What should I plant?

InTenSity wrote:
Nothing. February and March are the months that Mexico floods the market with everything. If you time it right, maybe a few cukes.

beal99 wrote:Wednesday - driving to MI from chicago in shitty traffic
Thursday - Sleep, Eat, Lions, Eat, Sleep.
Friday - Might go to the WMU game in the Zoo at 11 am, because fuck NIU
Saturday - Let the wife drag me around shopping while I listen to MSU on my phone.
Sunday - drive back to Chicago in shitty traffic

What's your take on Eva Longoria's tomato picker 1 cent thingee?

InTenSity wrote:
This will be another long, drawn out answer. 

An extra penny a pound doesn't sound like much, but in food service it ends up being a lot. I believe the size of the bucket is 33#, for rounds I forget what they get paid, but I think with the extra penny/lb, it is almost a 50% increase in pay. All of this sounds great, and the Florida growers are evil slave driving employers, or that is the narrative. I've been in this business for 7 years now and I've watched the Florida growers lose market share and cut back on acreage. 3 growers have gone bankrupt and left the business, that I know of. There are a couple more that are close to going under. Although the few companies that have 'agreed' to pay the extra penny a pound, most of the time it goes back on the grower. They have to be audited, and they have to hire extra accountants to track the money. In the end, it works out to $5-$7 more a day for the picker, maybe $20-$30 a week.

It is also closer to 1.5 cents/lb because the coalition needs their .5 cent/lb for 'administration' costs. Again, it is a noble cause, and under equal circumstances it could work.

If a picker in FL is making $60-$120/day, depending on how good they are, they are still making much better money than a picker in MX. Mexican pickers make about $10-$15/day, then they are charge $9-$12 a day for living expenses. There might be the plight of the picker in FL, but many will get housing provided by the grower. In Mexico, they are promised good work and a chance to help their families, until they arrive at the ranches. Most companies are moving towards using Mexican fruit over Florida fruit because it is cheaper, and a lot of times the quality is better. 

For all the people that are fighting for the rights of the US picker, they may not have to do so for a long time, as many of the companies could go bankrupt, or move on to different crops in the near future.

Working conditions in Mexico

Not sure if I answered the question. I know most people don't care, hell most people aren't even sure where their food comes from. I'll answer questions though, as I understand them.

InTenSity wrote:
This will be another long, drawn out answer. 

An extra penny a pound doesn't sound like much, but in food service it ends up being a lot. I believe the size of the bucket is 33#, for rounds I forget what they get paid, but I think with the extra penny/lb, it is almost a 50% increase in pay. All of this sounds great, and the Florida growers are evil slave driving employers, or that is the narrative. I've been in this business for 7 years now and I've watched the Florida growers lose market share and cut back on acreage. 3 growers have gone bankrupt and left the business, that I know of. There are a couple more that are close to going under. Although the few companies that have 'agreed' to pay the extra penny a pound, most of the time it goes back on the grower. They have to be audited, and they have to hire extra accountants to track the money. In the end, it works out to $5-$7 more a day for the picker, maybe $20-$30 a week.

It is also closer to 1.5 cents/lb because the coalition needs their .5 cent/lb for 'administration' costs. Again, it is a noble cause, and under equal circumstances it could work.

If a picker in FL is making $60-$120/day, depending on how good they are, they are still making much better money than a picker in MX. Mexican pickers make about $10-$15/day, then they are charge $9-$12 a day for living expenses. There might be the plight of the picker in FL, but many will get housing provided by the grower. In Mexico, they are promised good work and a chance to help their families, until they arrive at the ranches. Most companies are moving towards using Mexican fruit over Florida fruit because it is cheaper, and a lot of times the quality is better. 

For all the people that are fighting for the rights of the US picker, they may not have to do so for a long time, as many of the companies could go bankrupt, or move on to different crops in the near future.

Working conditions in Mexico

Not sure if I answered the question. I know most people don't care, hell most people aren't even sure where their food comes from. I'll answer questions though, as I understand them.

NigelUno wrote:

I saw her on HBO one night talking about it.  You're right about Mexico.  If consumers can get cheaper tomatoes from there, then the Florida growers will go under.  It amazes me how cheap Publix sells corn on the cob for, and practically year round.

InTenSity wrote:
That corn on the cob looks like wax and has no taste. I never buy it.

Consumers won't have a choice about the cheaper tomatoes, or products. The markup on fresh fruits and vegetables is amazing. I've seen tomatoes for sale in stores at $2.99/lb when you can buy them wholesale for $6.95 at the farm. Even with transportation, repacking costs and delivery to a store DC, at that price, someone should be able to deliver for about $12. Add another $2-3 for overhead for the grocer and the total cost is about $15. $0.60/lb, at a minimum they are making $2/lb profit, the savings are rarely passed on to the consumer.

Other Teams Pursuing That wrote:

Why the fuck are you shopping Saturday? Is this really what marriage brings?

beal99 wrote:

because no way in fuck am I shopping on black friday, actually my plans have changed, me and the old man and bro in law are going to watch MSU at some GR bar, mom, wife, sister,and babies are going shopping

Green Note wrote:Perhaps join in some looting for justice.

Heat Miser wrote:With the in-laws in Pigeon ****ing Forge at the Country Tonite show. Kill me now.PLEASE!

Watch Out Pylon! wrote:Headed down to Louisville tomorrow. Woodford Reserve will be consumed.

steveschneider wrote:I'll be Thankful if the Dude can avoid ruining this thread.

LoneWolfSparty wrote:

Too late, you just did.

steveschneider wrote:I'll be Thankful if the Dude can avoid ruining this thread.

beal99 wrote:because fuck NIU

steveschneider wrote:

You are a homo.

Snake Plissken wrote:
Double Oak?

LoneWolfSparty wrote:

Ah, yes. Another compassionate hypocritical liberal using a gay slur.....

Heat Miser wrote:With the in-laws in Pigeon ****ing Forge at the Country Tonite show. Kill me now.PLEASE!