Finnish produce

[kokkolatjej]

The organic vegetable selection in our local supermarkets is pretty small and very expensive. And, to boot, many of the products come from countries outside Finland. I like the idea of buying Finnish produce, but I would like to know more about the growing practices here. A few friends have said that Finnish produce is 'clean' but I am not sure what this means and whether it is just myth. I suppose the point of this post is that I am torn: is it better to shell out for organic produce regardless of its origins or to eat Finnish-grown veg? (Please note: the chemicals used in growing are of primary concern as I am ill.) Any thoughts? Thanks.

[NewEnglandNative]

At the Hakaniemi market, one of the greengrocers only sells Finnish produce. Might want to give that a try.

[kokkolatjej]

Thanks New England, but I live miles away from Helsinki. (I'm assuming that's where the market you mention is). Thanks for the recommendation nonetheless. Hey...where in New England are you from? I am from Maine.

[FFCBOY]

www.Ruokapiiri.fi for organic local finnish food, veg,meat,flour, etc etc etc

[Pursuivant]

Well if the vegatables provided are not enough, wht don't you go leave back to that paradise you came here from asking the handouts?

[kokkolatjej]

I've seen a lot of really worryingly pathetic posts on here from you. Three words, man: Get a life.

[Pursuivant]

Four words: YOU LIVE IN KOKKOLA
I have a life - I LIVE IN CIVILIZATION - its all your own f* problem you chose to live in the arse-end of the universe.

[kokkolatjej]

If that's your best shot, bud, then you really are being pathetic. A lot of folks from places outside Finland's metro areas have struggled so that you can have your 'civilisation' read: a more comfy, scrumfy, mainstrain way of life. If that's how you feel about this fine country and the folks in it, perhaps the person who should consider going home ain't me.

[MagicJ]

He's home already, we're stuck with him.

[Bubba Elvis XIV]

Agh - He's ok...it's when he comes back from his home away from home at midnight you have to be wary.

[Cloudberry]

Find a "smaller" greenhouse grower somewhere near where you live. They're the ones who supply all the shops with the Finnish produce. We've got one close to us and we start buying fresh stuff as early as April and his produce stops about the end of October. Fresh, tasty and chemical/pesticide free. He has a shop at the greenhouse where he sells the 2nds...misshaped stuff, for example. On Saturday, we picked up 5 kgs of tomatoes for under 5 euro. AND...I was able to get some green tomatoes for frying, too!

This year we were treated to his "experiments" with different kinds of chili peppers. He was just testing out the growing patterns, etc. so that he could put them in to full production next season. Handfulls of different peppers for peanuts.

Wow that's awesome. I was wondering if there were many smaller green house growers around the place or if they were larger commercial enterprises. In the supermarkets I only saw imported stuff. I suppose its a matter of doing some ongoing research til you find a good local supplier. I'd love to try green house gardening - challenging I'm sure but even more rewarding if you can pull it off.

[kokkolatjej]

Thanks to all. I am really psyched about the suggestion regarding local growers. Going to look into that now. We live in a heavy agricultural area so it's likely there are small growers nearby. (For the record...Not knocking large-scale producers, just cutting food chems as a means of natural cure.)

As for the other guy...Fair enough. No worries.