>>I don't know whether ours will turn out to be cheaper or not, but I know there's strong sentiment for having better variety and, I think, more locally grown produce than we can get in the supermarket.
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>Variety is the word. The whole idea of making living things, like fruit and vegetables, conform so closely to size standards (and, if codex alimentarius is adopted, maybe law) is insane on its face. It's unnatural - apples don't grow like that, there are larger and smaller, greener and redder. And then, being local, you may even see fruit which can't be held that long, like fresh figs. The only time I saw fresh figs here was in one episode of L&O, where they were used by a guy to suck up to a dying mob boss... who probably remembers them from his childhood on the Mediterrane[an]. Or... small cucumbers, sour cherries (haven't seen them at all, except in a jar), peas in the pod, ripe grapes...

Only time I'd seen fresh figs was in Egypt, back in the late 80s, when I was learning to dive. My friend and I were invited into some Egyptians' flat and they offered a bowl thereof. I respectfully declined but my mate tucked in. As expected the next day he had the "Pharaohs' Revenge" and I was fine. I knew not to consume anything washed in local water. I had warned him too. Meant delaying our course for a day.

However, since then I've been back many times (in fact going on 19th Oct for a week's diving vac) and eaten lots of salads, etc (esp. metze) and only had one mild bout of if, cf. that which I'd had on my 1st visit.