090: If you're a fan of our podcast, then you've probably heard about "the blueberries, the blueberries, the blueberries!" Meet Hugh Kent, who along with his wife Lisa, grows the phenomenal blueberries in central Florida that Michael Pollan, chef Dan Barber and others can't say enough about - and learn why massive hydroponic berry operations are not only a threat to his business, but to our ability as eaters to find and taste truly delicious, real fruits and vegetables in the USA.

Hugh and Lisa Kent operate King Grove Farm in Eustis, Florida. Part blueberry farm and part wildlife preserve, King Grove fosters the soil fertility and biodiversity necessary to grow truly flavorful fruit. Even though their berries have a dedicated fan club, they struggle to stay on store shelves and in business due to market forces that promise cheaper, and more abundant berries even during the off-season.

https://www.kinggrove.com/

To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:

https://www.realorganicproject.org/hugh-kent-broken-business-of-blueberries-episode-ninety

The Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.

The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).

To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:

https://www.realorganicproject.org/farms

We believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.

If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000 Real Friends:

https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/

To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:

https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/