Where Have All the Lemons Gone?

Last week I decided to go out of my way to shop in the newly-reopened Market Basket, where an odd and riveting labor action just ended. I had the distinct impression that the Market Basket prices were higher now than before the action that closed them down for weeks and weeks. I got to the lemons, which had always been two for $1.17 and they were now 99¢ apiece. I bitched about the hike in price. Afterall, I use about a lemon per day because the only liquid I drink is black tea with lemon - all day; every day.

I was in another supermarket where the lemons are usually 69¢ – up to 99¢ there too. They were lousy specimens as well – thick, spongy outer skins, minimal juice. I was on the phone with a friend. I said, projecting a fantasy nightmare, “The next thing you know something cataclysmic will happen in the agricultural world and Trader Joe’s won’t have any lemons.” That’s really where I buy my lemons: they have always been 49¢ each.

My nightmare came true. At Trader Joe’s yesterday there were no lemons. They had limes. They had citrus fruit. No lemons. I asked a helpful employee and he told me that they are unable to line up a producer or distributor of lemons. He cited two factors. One: There has been a significant drought in California and Mexico, so the crop is shockingly weak. Two: The farmers in Mexico are being convinced to grown corn instead of lemons for use in something industrial that I can’t remember.

Okay, okay, this is definitely a First World problem, but even for a person like me who leaves the environmental work to others (we all have to specialize, no?), this is a moment of note. Lemons are one of the basic foodstuffs in my world. Free the lemons!

Comments

[rita connolly]

I believe corn is used to make fuel ethanol. Other things too but this is big these days.

There will be plenty of food cost going up.

Look into delivery of sustainably grown food. Can be delivered to your door. I got lemons all summer. Food from small farm not too far north. They dug their wells deeper this year. The Central Valley where US shipped food comes from has none to dig for.

No one can free the lemons until rain is free. Not happening soon.

[sue katz]

Thanks Rita. I'm a bit too in motion - leaving for chunks of time frequently - to be part of most cooperative and local food initiatives. But it certainly sounds cool. One thing I know - local produce tastes better!

[Verandah]

Here is your answer, Katzela. I know you go away but there are self watering options.

http://growingwildceeds.wordpress.com/2012/03/10/how-to-grow-a-lemon-tree-from-seed/

Meanwhile, we anticipate the ripening of your birthday apples, the source for sauce.

[sue katz]

Oh, I'd LOVE to have lemons growing around here. Shame I just gave away all my pots that I bought for the balcony garden that never happened. I will definitely try this, V.