This I have got to see.

[jackb]

From today's Albany Times Union. Hydroponic gardening in a grocery store, what will they think of next?
Jack B

"Customers at the Latham Price Chopper store are starting to get a glimpse of the future. Construction continues on what the Schenectady-based grocery chain says is its concept store, which will house 16 eateries, a cooking school and a hydroponic garden where the store will grow produce to sell. When completed by year's end, it also will carry a new name: Market Bistro by Price Chopper."

"We're right in the middle of it," said CEO Jerry Golub. "It's just the tip of the iceberg. We'll be growing tomatoes in the store. There will be a lot of new and really unique innovations."

 

[baymule]

That sounds really cool. Do ya' think they will market regular 'ol field mass produced produce too? I see a bait and switch scenario. Or is it possible to actually grow enough in store to satisfy the wants and needs of the shoppers? Maybe offer mass produced vegetables next to the pricier in store produce, what a $$$$$ opportunity. If nothing else, it would actually show people that vegetables GROW and don't magically appear wrapped in plastic.

 

[lesa]

Hey, I bet they could use an expert consultant! Time to come out of retirement, JackB!

 

[897tgigvib]

Sounds really great, except

MARKET BISTRO BY PRICE CHOPPER

Sounds like the name of a company on the coast of the French Riviera that makes CHOPPER BIKES that will compete with Harley Davidson choppers.

 

[Smart Red]

I do like the idea, but do not like the name. Does that make me a Chopper shopper?

I would imagine this concept will do a lot to kill the idea of organic food except as a curiosity. The prices they would have to charge for hydroponic (and does it taste the same as soil grown?) would certainly be higher. Wait, hydroponic isn't necessarily organic, is it?

 

[jackb]

Hey, I bet they could use an expert consultant! Time to come out of retirement, JackB!

My wife and I were talking about this a dinner and I said I wonder who they will get to do this. If you were to start from seed, growing tomatoes is a 90 day project, and, they take up a lot of room. Cordon type need support from above and indeterminate plants really need support. It just does not appear to be a profitable business plan, but more a public relations stunt. One of my books revealed that Epcot Center at Disney really uses banned pesticides and throws veggies away because they can not control insects without pesticides. It is a public relations gimmick according to the author.

JackB

 

[so lucky]

Well, good grief! If you can't trust Walt Disney, who can you trust? I don't doubt what you say, tho, Jack. Apparently appearances mean a lot more than truth, these days.
BTW, I think this is my 2000th post. row

 

[jackb]

Well, good grief! If you can't trust Walt Disney, who can you trust? I don't doubt what you say, tho, Jack. Apparently appearances mean a lot more than truth, these days.
BTW, I think this is my 2000th post. row

Congratulations on your milestone.

JackB

 

[897tgigvib]

Yeaaaay So Lucky! Let's throw a party to celebrate! I'll bring the beans and wine!