Help me stay raw on the road!

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Permalink Reply by Huckleberry on May 16, 2012 at 11:34am

I live in Seattle and I work in the produce dept. of a grocery store in the downtown area. While I can't definitively tell you the "best" places to stock up I can offer to set aside some bananas to ripen for you at the store where I work. Melons are starting to get decent. Organic fair trade bananas are 0.89 cents/lb. and conventional fair trade ones are 0.69-0.79 cents/lb. You could also try calling a store of your choice in advance and asking them to set aside some bananas for you if you know the day you'll be in. Whole Foods would be a better choice for that where customer service is more of a priority.

Trader Joe's is alright for bananas and over-packaged greens. The International district is a good spot for Asian markets. You could also check out the farmers markets.

http://www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org/

I'll be in the same situation in a couple weeks when we'll be taking a road trip across the country (my first trip since 811) to visit relatives...should be interesting!

Good luck to you, it will be an adventure!

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Permalink Reply by Jon Fergus on May 17, 2012 at 3:10am

Thanks a lot HH!! I'll be passing through some time around the 29th, so maybe I'll take you up on the offer to set some bananas aside! That's always the problem while traveling... getting ripe ones. I bought some greenish ones the other day, and had them ripening in the car, but one night the temperature dropped too low and they all went black and mushy overnight. :(

Thanks for the link to the farmer's market too. I'll check it out.

So... I'll message you with a week or so notice about the bananas, and if you're able to do that It'll be hugely appreciated (oh, definitely would go for the organic ones too - your organic bananas are the price of our conventional ones :)

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Permalink Reply by Huckleberry on May 18, 2012 at 9:22am

My pleasure. I enjoy helping out a fellow frugivore. I will be on vacation at the same time but I will have it arranged...I've got connections ;)

Let me know how much and approximately how ripe you 'd like them and, of course, the day you'll be in by May 23. I'll message you the address. I wish I could be there to monitor the ripening...there's so many factors involved, as you well know.

Also, if we still have the Haitian mangos in stock when your in try them (if you haven't already).

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Permalink Reply by Jon Fergus on May 18, 2012 at 10:09am

Wow, thanks for such generosity! Much appreciated :)

I'll definitely make sure to try the mangos! I'll PM you when I know which day I'll be in town.

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Permalink Reply by Matt on May 17, 2012 at 4:01am

Just so you know you're allowed to take bananas and California dates across the border. I did it a couple weeks ago, but they tossed out my mangoes :( Make sure the dates are american though and not from mexico or across seas or anything. 

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Permalink Reply by Jon Fergus on May 17, 2012 at 4:11am

Ah. Cool. I didn't know that. I'll give it a try. The dates I have right now aren't US though, so I better chow them down before I go ;)

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Permalink Reply by dangermouse on May 17, 2012 at 4:27am

I brought across a tub of Bard Valley dates and... some bananas maybe? a couple years ago. I don't remember what the second thing was.  I specifically pointed them out to the border guard and he barely even glanced up.

Oh, Matt covered that. :)

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Permalink Reply by Linda on May 17, 2012 at 5:26am

Sorry, can't help with the journey down, but when you get here 'Welcome to Pasadena!' Are you moving here, or just visiting?

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Permalink Reply by Jon Fergus on May 17, 2012 at 6:11am

Just staying with friends, actually up in Altadena. Should be there for 6 months. :)

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Permalink Reply by Linda on May 25, 2012 at 7:55am

You should join The Fruit of Los Angeles group here on 30BaD.

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Permalink Reply by Sideah Shannon on May 18, 2012 at 11:33am

I moved from Vancouver to La.  I would definitely try the whole sale fruit market when you are here, although it is a ways away from you.. it's a neat experience to try! 

have fun!

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Permalink Reply by Jon Fergus on May 19, 2012 at 3:46am

Can you tell me where the market is? I'd love to check it out when I'm there.

Also... if you don't mind me asking: did you get a greencard and/or work visa to make the move? and if so, how?

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