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Due to the state of national emergency declared in Ecuador because of severe flooding, as well as the recent lift on a ban of South American bananas by the European Union, bananas are in very short supply and the price is going up.
We will do our very best to continue to have a consistent supply available to you at a reasonable cost. No one knows how long this may last. We will update you as more information becomes available to us.
Thank You, Rainbow Grocery Produce Department
About our Produce Department
The Produce department carries a wide range of organic fruits and vegetables.
We support local, independent farmers whenever possible and are
committed to promoting sustainable agriculture and biodiversity.
We try to carry all organic produce but, depending upon what is
available, a small percentage of our food is commercial, or transitional
to organic. We clearly mark all of our signs so that you can tell
at a glance what kind of produce you are getting. We compost all
of our produce green wastes, and donate unsaleable food to a number
of local organizations, such as Food Not Bombs, Project Open Hand
and Food Runners.
Organic
This is a labeling term which has a legal definition - in California
it identifies products produced under the requirements of a
new
federal law, the Organic Foods Production Act (which went into
effect in October of 2002) and created uniform national organic
standards.
Farms and products are inspected by an independent third party
certifier in order to be certified "organic". The
C.C.O.F. (California Certified Organic Farmers), is the oldest
certifying agency in California, although there are many other
certified
agencies in the state.  Some
of the requirements for produce to be certified organic include
that:
- No bio-engineered or genetically modified organisms are allowed
in organic cultivation
- No ionizing radiation can be used
- No synthetic pesticides or fertilizers have been used in the
production of the produce for the current year and the preceding
three years
- Farmers incorporate a soil building program that emphasizes
cover crops, compost and manures and natural fertilizers
- Emphasis is on natural biological control of pests - when pesticides
are required, only naturally occurring materials, such as insect
pheromones, are used.
- Only products on the National List of Allowed Substances can
be used in the cultivation of plants.
This is an ecologically based system of farming that promotes and
enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and the biological activity
in the soil. It is based upon management practices that restore,
maintain and enhance ecological harmony. Organic farmers focus on
building a healthy, biologically active soil to nourish crops, and
on maintaining a healthy environment for organic livestock. Transitional
This term applies to produce that has been grown on a farm that
is "transitioning" from non-certified to certified production.  In
order to be certified, a farm must have been farming organically
for three years; so, in the interim period, even though no pesticides
or chemical fertilizers have been used in production, the produce
can not be labeled "organic", it is called "transitional". Conventional/Commercial
Conventional produce can be grown using synthetic chemical fertilizers,
any and all pesticides and fungicides registered for use in the
State of California, and does not require any third party certification. Biodynamic
Biodynamic agriculture was first introduced in 1924 in a series
of lectures by the Austrian scientist and philosopher, Rudolf Steiner.
Steiner is known for his influence in such vastly different realms
as the arts, medicine and education, including the Waldorf School
movement.  While
biodynamic agriculture shares many of the same values as today's
organic agriculture movement, such as improving soil fertility and
striving for a sustainable relationship with the larger ecosystem,
certain aspects set it apart. Central to the biodynamic approach
is the idea that the farm is an organism, and each farm has its
own identity. The formation of this organism is enhanced by the
use of biodynamic sprays and herbal preparations which are applied
in to compost, soil and crops. Dry farming
This is a method of farming production in which crops are grown
without being irrigated. This is accomplished by planting crops
several feet apart in healthy, aerated soil that has enough clay
to retain adequate moisture to sustain the plant. Subsequently,
the crops develop an extensive root system that allows it to thrive.
Tomatoes are often grown in this manner - which condenses their
sugars and produces a more flavorful fruit.
For up-to-date Produce news, download a PDF of our newsletter:
Fresh Perspectives >>
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