Organically grown mangoes. The public ask for then rejects

[bovine421]

The public likes the illusion of organically grown fruit but then rejects the reality. The General Public tend to reject any fruit that has a blemish or looks as I call it dirty. That's the old adage you can't judge a book by its cover the same goes for mangoes. When they buy clean fruit there's a very high probability that it's being sprayed with more than just sulfur and copper. Some of the best mangoes I've been given have had a little anthracnose on the skin but once I cut it open it was a beautiful sight. I guess my point is there's some very unrealistic expectations out there. And with the logistics of Labor time and expense could possibly a tribute to Mango inflation. If you want Ultra Clean fruit you're going to pay more. Hence the recent increase in dollars per pound





Only the Ultra Cleanest organic mangoes and we refuse to overpay

https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/agent-articles/environment/organic-does-not-mean-pesticide-free.html

[zands]

There are two kinds of mango eating public here in Florida. You have those who want ultra clean with no black anything on the mango exterior. They can find these mangos, that are grown outside the USA, at Walmart, etc. But then you have mango eater public #2, that is far more understanding of fruit imperfections. I have many customers in the #2 category.

In past years Publix has made an effort to carry Florida grown mangoes.-

[johnb51]

There are two kinds of mango eating public here in Florida. You have those who want ultra clean with no black anything on the mango exterior. They can find these at Walmart. But then you have mango eater public #2, that is far more understanding of fruit imperfections. I have many customers in the #2 category.

That sounds about right.  Group #2 are those who really know and love mangos.

[johnb51]

Even if they didn't have to spray, they wouldn't be charging less.  Other factors are driving up the cost.

[bovine421]

I would like to give the reputable growers the benefit of the doubt they have 2 to 3 months out of the year to cover their overhead for the remaining 9 months. Apparently there's enough apartment dwelling non-producers to make their business model work. I gladly paid for my education
to determine which trees I wanted to grow. Now I'm able to barter with other growers and have more mangoes than I can possibly consume. There is an element of the greedy green that are jumping in the game. They're the ones selling the early green mangoes for early green dollars and giving mini varieties a bad reputation. I really don't have a dog in this fight but just making observations because my pladder is full 🙂

[Calusa]

The General Public tend to reject any fruit that has a blemish or looks as I call it dirty.

This is one major reason we've ended up with tasteless apples, tomatoes and other items in grocery stores,
but I blame the grocery stores. Heirloom fruits and vegetables can't be found locally in most places these days.
I think most Americans don't really know what a real original tomato tastes like.

[hipasfolk]

I for one welcome the ugly fruit, seems to make people less inclined to help themselves. My trees won't be producing for some time but a few months a year paying premium for the best of the best is okay with me until then. Once my 20+ trees go off I look forward to being able to swap for anything I'm not growing 🤞

[johnb51]

I really don't have a dog in this fight but just making observations because my pladder is full 🙂

Is your platter full or is your bladder full?

[johnb51]

The General Public tend to reject any fruit that has a blemish or looks as I call it dirty.

This is one major reason we've ended up with tasteless apples, tomatoes and other items in grocery stores,
but I blame the grocery stores. Heirloom fruits and vegetables can't be found locally in most places these days.
I think most Americans don't really know what a real original tomato tastes like.

The problem runs deep.  We have a culture that's based on appearances and the most superficial things.  We can only educate ourselves and be contrarians.

[booeyschewy]

Agriculture is all economies of scale. Distributors want uniformity in part because of the public but also transport, machinery etc. The outcome being smaller producers have the best stuff but never manage to get it to market or only via exploitive middle men. I have lots of organic rare fruit that is impractical or impossible to sell. you only pull off what the supply chain demands or get lucky with a contract. But the US is better in the sense of farmers markets and the like being a good though labor intensive option.

[fruitnoob]

Before I planted my own fruit trees, I was in camp #1. I also sent 5-6 large USPS boxes of mangoes and other fruits to family and friends the last 2 mango seasons, and I didn’t want to send them (all) blemish fruits. This year, I included Keo Savoy mangoes that didn’t look exactly clean, but nobody complained about it. Guess they were just happy to receive FL mangoes.

In my opinion, the key to better public acceptance of organic fruits is through awareness/education. This is why I like going to small sellers because I get a chance to talk and learn from these sellers.

Talking about farmers markets, I’ve ALWAYS paid a lot more for fruits at these markets than at farms/nurseries. And the market in Clear water is full of locals and tourists who are willing to pay 2x nursery prices for mangoes and other tropical fruits.

[JR561]

Ive seen so many people this year burned by the high end mango sellers selling under mature mangoes like crazy. Its so disappointing.

On the other hand I used Walter and some locals and didnt spend top dollar and cant complain at all.

I wont pay these insane prices for something that is littering the streets all over my area.

[achetadomestica]

The way people are buying trees now and planting mini orchards I think in a few years
there is going to be surplus mangos and mango trees available? I am guilty and have 20+
trees. Unless there is a big freeze in the next couple years? For me I am thankful I ate a
ton of top tier mangos this past season and even dehydrated a bunch for later. The mangos
I use to consider good 5 years ago I wouldn't even eat any more. 

[hipasfolk]

I'm also guilty I think I'm up to about 25ish trees of just mangos. I can't imagine having too many mangos though, I never get sick of them.

[Elijah]

Hello Bovine421,
I am curious about your display name. Have you played Diablo2 game? There was a cow realm in the game and it was fun.

[Galatians522]

People who know what it takes to grow food are both more appreciative and less picky.

[sapote]

In my opinion, the key to better public acceptance of organic fruits is through awareness/education. This is why I like going to small sellers because I get a chance to talk and learn from these sellers.

Most people only learned about selecting produces or fruits from TV ads which only show shiny waxy perfect looking fruits.
Yes, they need more education in foods that a corn ear with a worm is not a bad corn.

[fruitnoob]

In my opinion, the key to better public acceptance of organic fruits is through awareness/education. This is why I like going to small sellers because I get a chance to talk and learn from these sellers.

Most people only learned about selecting produces or fruits from TV ads which only show shiny waxy perfect looking fruits.
Yes, they need more education in foods that a corn ear with a worm is not a bad corn.

With the proliferation of social media today, it is easier than ever to spread the message. YouTube, instagram,Facebook,TikTok, X (Twitter)  etc. ideas are aplenty, from edited videos to live stream - or if one is game, do a live demo at a weekend market or whatever. Collaboration videos with popular channels or personnel,etc. People care about what’s in it for them. Would they rather pay less for fruits treated with chemicals or a bit more for organic one? Etc.

[elouicious]

I agree people can be a PITA and way too picky when it comes to fruit but......

Where are these rejected mangoes? happy to take them off someones hands