‘The Party Is Over’ Farmers: Eliminate the Middlemen, Quit Fooling Consumers

Dear Editor, The article reads,
”
The reality is, are you willing to pay $15 for a head of
lettuce?
”
Rodriguez asked.
”
We try and get our clients to pay more, but if the consumer
isn’t willing to pay, the farmer can’t pay us any more.
”
‘The Party Is Over’ Farmers: Eliminate the Middlemen, Quit Fooling Consumers

Dear Editor,

The article reads, “The reality is, are you willing to pay $15 for a head of lettuce?” Rodriguez asked. “We try and get our clients to pay more, but if the consumer isn’t willing to pay, the farmer can’t pay us any more.”

You try that Mr. Rodriguez, and your precious lettuce will rot on the market shelves!  Do you think you are addressing idiot consumers?  Any business person who thinks he can be in business only if he breaks the law, does not belong in business! As it is, produce is extremely expensive in the supermarkets with all that so-called cheap labor. I have to go to special little markets to find produce that I can afford to buy.  

The party is over farmers! If you want to remain in business, offer better pay and eliminate the eight or more middle men that handle your produce before it gets to the consumer at the supermarket. Deal directly with the retailers and you will get a decent profit. 

We consumers are not only being ripped off by the produce retailers, but we are being ripped off by the farmers who force us to maintain their cheap labor with our taxes.

Here’s the $64,000 question: “What did American farmers and other industries do before the invasion from south of the border that began 25 years ago? Are you trying to say that we didn’t have anybody doing those jobs that illegal aliens do now? Give me a break!”

Haydee Pavia, Laguna Woods

St. Joseph’s Family Center Event Huge Success Due to Gilroy Volunteer Spirit

Dear Editor,

On behalf of St. Joseph’s Family Center, I wish to thank the many wonderful people who helped make our St. Patrick’s Dinner fundraiser a great success!

The proceeds from this event will help support our newly adopted “senior shuttle”, a program that provides free transportation to low-income seniors who need access to local retailers, grocery stores and pharmacies.

Our volunteers are the backbone of our organization! Dozens of volunteers make this yearly event possibly, and we are deeply indebted to them for their compassion and hard work.

Special thanks to our sponsors for generously giving us the financial support we need: Articulate Solutions, Dellamaggiore Tile, The Dispatch, Edith Pricolo, Gilroy United Methodist Church, Habing Family Funeral Home, South Valley Disposal and Recycling and South Valley National Bank.

Improving the quality of life is a responsibility we take seriously.

As budget cuts loom and many social services in our community will be diminished or eliminated, your contributions become even more vital to our stability and our mission.

We are blessed by your spirit and friendships. Keep an eye out for our next event in early October!

David Cox, Director