Where to find local produce in Houston amid cyclosporiasis outbreak
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At farmers markets, you get to talk to the people growing your food. Photo: Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images
Some shoppers are trying to get locally grown food as a preventive measure amid the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak.
Why it matters: The outbreak is straining Americans' trust in the food safety system, leading to a downturn in sales and a reputation hit for big businesses and farms. But knowing where your produce comes from can reduce your risk of infection, experts say — even if it's not guaranteed.
Catch up quick: The diarrhea-inducing illness is caused by a microscopic parasite spreading through contaminated food. Investigators have tied some — but not all — cases to contaminated iceberg lettuce.
- Public health experts say past outbreaks have been associated with imported produce including cilantro, basil, pre-packaged salad mix and raspberries.
- Texas health officials have reported nearly 200 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases since May, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services tells Axios. In Houston and Harris County, there have been over 80 cases as of early August.
Zoom in: Central City Co-Op, which partners with more than a dozen local farmers, has seen a steady growth of people stopping by the Heights storefront the past few years, but especially during foodborne illness outbreaks, director Jessica Wilt tells Axios.
- Local shoppers especially seek out greens, jalapeños and eggs as they look to get closer to the source of their food.
What they're saying: "We have a very clear chain of custody for the products that they're producing, and so we can guarantee their integrity and that they're not using substandard practices to do their farming," Wilt says.
- "So, absolutely, we have seen an increase in people looking for places that they can get closer to the source of their food."
Here are some Houston-area markets to check out:
- Central City Co-Op, open from 9am–6:30pm Tuesdays–Fridays and 9am–4pm on weekends.
- Urban Harvest Farmers Market, Saturdays 8am–noon.
- Memorial Villages Farmers Market, Saturdays 9am–1pm.
- Rice Village Farmers Market, every first and third Sunday of the month. 9am–1pm.
- Kingwood Farmers Market, Thursdays 2–7pm.
Reality check: You're probably still safe to shop for produce at grocery stores in Houston.
- H-E-B officials say none of their produce suppliers have reported cases of cyclosporiasis. Some H-E-B brand salads include lettuce from Taylor Farms, which recalled its iceberg lettuce sourced from Central Mexico. However, H-E-B was not shipped iceberg lettuce products from Taylor Farms.
- Plus, lettuce is out of season; it could come back around in October. Berries have been on their way out, too.