Need evidence that there isn’t enough ag education in urban environments? Or fresh food alternatives?
Last night, I was in the grocery line and my checker was stymied by the long green squash on the belt.
What is this? She asked after struggling for a bit to look it up on her cheat sheet. It’s a zucchini I said in my most polite, patient tone.
I’m used to checkers not knowing the difference between a serrano and a jalapeno. And there are now so many new produce varieties that even I have to look for the signs from time to time. But a zucchini?
That’s such a common backyard veggie — at least it should be — that every child should know it on site by at least age 8.
I wasn’t mad or frustrated that the checker didn’t know, even though back in my days manning the register, we were required to learn all the produce and memorize codes so we didn’t have to waste time looking items up. But I digress.
No, not mad or irritated. Just a bit sad and motivated to check back in with what’s going on with urban ag in my area as we head into spring and our Midwest farmers kick their operations into high gear for the upcoming growing season.
Virtual Farmgirl 
I recently served asparagus to someone and he had never see it before or tasted it. I realize it is an expensive veggie, but it shocked me none-the-less.
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Most people let there squash grow to baseball bats. Summer squash is a great fresh vegetable to stir fry or use in an omelet.
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I had a clerk that didn't know what Jicama was… which I can understand since it's unusual where we live and he was clearly new.The sacker told him it's “Jicama, but spelled with a J eventhough it sounds like an H.” He was kind of angry about it which I thought was sort of funny.It is pretty sad how often store employees don't know much about their products.
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I recently served asparagus to someone and he had never see it before or tasted it. I realize it is an expensive veggie, but it shocked me none-the-less.
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Most people let there squash grow to baseball bats. Summer squash is a great fresh vegetable to stir fry or use in an omelet.
LikeLike
I had a clerk that didn't know what Jicama was… which I can understand since it's unusual where we live and he was clearly new.The sacker told him it's “Jicama, but spelled with a J eventhough it sounds like an H.” He was kind of angry about it which I thought was sort of funny.It is pretty sad how often store employees don't know much about their products.
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