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Maglio observes, “Locally grown has very strong emotional ties in the Midwest,” referencing the many farmers’ markets that dominate the summer and early fall seasons. Additionally, he mentions how grocery chains lease billboards prominently displaying photos of farmers in area fields, those closest to where stores are located and serve communities.
Ups and Downs
Although the Midwest is hundreds of miles from the Eastern Seaboard and even farther from the West Coast, it is no less susceptible to extreme weather events. As California struggles with drought, the Midwest endured record-breaking rainfall and flooding—including an errant tropical storm—in the early summer. Some crops were washed out by the torrential downpours, forcing growers to replant or take the losses. Comito, who says Capital City Fruit sources from throughout the region, confirmed, “We’ve had a lot of rain in the Midwest, including Tropical Storm Bill in our Missouri growing area.”
Other current challenges include a lack of reliable labor, increasing competition, and technology. “Our problem is we don’t have the population we need. Unemployment is low. We can literally handle the migration of thousands of people for jobs at all levels: drivers, warehouse workers, skilled sales people, etc.,” states Comito about the Des Moines market.
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