Can you find local produce?

Who prevents us from buying fresh, local fruits and vegetables?

Did you guess the government? Move to the head of the class!

Jack Hedin tells us what happens to small organic farmers who try to expand in order to meet demand. Add to this, the massive transfer of land so that corn can be grown for ethanol, and you'll see how hard it will be in some areas for people to find local food.

Since I live in California, which is not a big grain-grower, I have lots of fresh produce to choose from. But Jack is right about the supermarkets. Except for Whole Foods, none of the big chains have local produce.

And Jack points out that California's Big Ag is one of the culprits in this problem - our mono-culture corporate growers want to have all the sales. And they want government to protect them from the small fry.

Is that hypocrisy I smell from these "free-market" types?

This isn't the way to run a country, folks. Or an economy. Leave the small farmer alone and let him grow for the local people.